Paul Manafort, the former Republican strategist and campaign chairman for Donald J. Trump in 2016, is now advising efforts for the upcoming Republican National Convention. Manafort, who faced legal troubles related to his work with foreign governments and his involvement in the Trump campaign, has been brought on board to assist with the convention. Despite his controversial past, Manafort’s experience with past Republican conventions makes him a valuable asset to the event.
Manafort’s role in the convention planning has been anticipated for some time, with discussions among Trump advisers about his involvement in an unpaid capacity. Last week, Manafort was present for meetings in Milwaukee, where the convention is scheduled to take place in July. However, Manafort has not yet commented on his new advisory role, and neither the Trump campaign nor the R.N.C. have responded to requests for comment.
At 75 years old, Manafort has a long history in Republican politics, having served as an adviser for Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1996 and managing the Republican convention that year. He joined Trump’s campaign in 2016 to help secure the nomination amidst challenges at the convention. However, Manafort’s tenure with the campaign was short-lived, as he was ousted over his ties to a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine and later became entangled in the Mueller investigation.
Despite facing legal consequences, Manafort remained loyal to Trump and was eventually pardoned by the former president. Recent reports indicate that Manafort has resumed work with foreign interests, including a Chinese entertainment streaming service. His role in the upcoming convention is expected to involve advising on staffing structure rather than the platform itself.
The platform debate at this year’s convention is crucial for the Republican Party, as no new platform was adopted in 2020 due to the pandemic. Manafort’s involvement in the staffing structure of the platform committee signals a potentially influential role in shaping the party’s agenda for the upcoming election.
Notably, past platform controversies, such as the language change regarding support for Ukraine, have drawn scrutiny and played a role in the Mueller investigation. The upcoming convention will be closely watched for any similar developments that could impact the party’s stance on key issues.
