Barry Bennett, who recently departed his post as Dr. Ben Carson’s campaign manger, has joined on with Donald Trump’s campaign as an informal adviser.
Bennett is set to join the campaign in an advisory role to the GOP front-runner’s bid, in which he will serve as a “counselor and resource” to Trump’s top aides, the Washington Examiner has confirmed. The news also comes two days after Bennett told Politico that he had no intention to join on with another campaign.
“I believe Trump is going to win and it’s important that his campaign is ready for everything that is coming,” Bennett told the Washington Post. “I’m here to do what is needed. I’m not being paid and I’m going to be mostly focused on getting my business back up and running.”
“When I was at Trump Tower, I went over six or seven things they had to be worried about, in terms of the mechanics, party organization and the convention. It wasn’t about strategy,” Bennett said. “My goal is to help them think through it.”
Bennett had previously suggested that Carson drop out and endorse Trump to help him win Iowa and secure the nomination. Bennett had cited Carson’s longtime friend and business manager Armstrong Williams as being the main reason for leaving the campaign, with Carson going around campaign channels to take Williams’ advice on multiple occasions.
Speaking to the Examiner after the report emerged, Williams bashed Bennett for the move, saying he only cares about the bottom line financially and cannot be trusted.
“Loyalty and trust matters. The fact that Trump would trust him is just — I find it difficult. They can’t be trusted,” Williams said, adding that Bennett is beholden to the “almighty dollar.”
“This is a business for them. It’s not a business to us,” Williams said. “We believe in the candidate.”
Earlier in the day, Williams let loose on Bennett and Doug Watts, who previously served as Carson’s communications director, penning a lengthy Facebook post, which panned the “unmitigated gall” of the two former staffers.
“The unmitigated gall of Barry Bennett and Doug Watts: To attempt to curry favor with the Trump campaign by delivering Dr. Carson’s campaign infrastructure on a platter is nothing short of amazing,” Williams wrote. “It is not surprising that these former staffers seem to be auditioning for new jobs with the Trump campaign. After all, they are professional politicians who need to make a living; and there is no chance in hell they intend sit out the rest of this campaign season.”
