Populist Trump 2016 vets say campaign disconnected from GOP base

Bill Stepien’s appointment to lead President Trump’s reelection campaign has stirred objections among allies of the president who view Stepien as an outsider and a figure of the establishment insufficiently wed to the America First doctrine.

“Of course, we would rather the ‘first-in’ alumni group get preferential treatment in the reelection,” said one Trump 2016 veteran, speaking about the recent appointment of later 2016 arrivals joining the campaign in senior roles. Operatives said they expect him to draw in more traditional GOP staffers.