With his poll numbers dropping, and fundraising lagging, there are signs that Donald Trump is beginning to take his presidential campaign more seriously.
Trump today, on advice from close advisers and family members, fired his controversial campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
Lewandowski had been effective in letting “Trump be Trump” during the primaries, but in the past few weeks he has watched his candidate slip behind Hillary Clinton in internal polls, with campaign cash becoming an urgent problem.
He had also developed a terrible relationship with the press, and he alienated staff at the Republican National Committee.
During an interview on CNN Lewandowski refused to answer whether he had looked to place negative stories about Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who is close to the candidate and who has played a larger role in the campaign lately.
Taking on a Trump family member — specifically daughter Ivanka — was probably the nail in his coffin.
Some members of Trump’s staff, including communications aide Michael Caputo, were pleased with the news.
Ding dong the witch is dead! https://t.co/pSqQwmAGz1 pic.twitter.com/5dE7GMeEK6
— Michael Caputo (@MichaelRCaputo) June 20, 2016
The news of the campaign shakeup happened as Trump has started using teleprompters at his campaign events (even though he said last year they should be banned for presidential candidates). Advisers believe Trump needs to stay more focused during his campaign remarks.
Trump is also doing what he promised during the primary season he wouldn’t: Attend fundraisers and solicit campaign cash.
Clinton, and her allies, have a massive TV ad buy running in markets in key battleground states, while Republicans and the Trump campaign have nothing to match it.
Trump is learning that teleprompters, effective fundraising, and having an effective campaign manager are all tools establishment candidates have been using for years.