Trump hits back at Omarosa after she releases secret recording
WASHINGTON Former White House staff member and TV celebrity Omarosa Manigault Newman has released a recording of a private conversation with US President Donald Trump after she was fired last December.
NBC's Today programme on Monday played the brief recording, in which Mr Trump claims to have had no knowledge that she was sacked and expresses regret at the news.
The recording is the latest volley from the disgruntled 44-year-old, once an ardent Trump ally. But it also appears to show a president who has little knowledge of what is happening inside his own White House - or who is willing to lie to avoid confrontation.
"Omarosa? Omarosa what's going on? I just saw on the news that you are thinking about leaving? What happened?" he said.
"Nobody even told me about it," he is heard saying, after Chief of Staff John Kelly terminated her employment.
Mr Trump has branded Omarosa a "lowlife" after she released a recording of her firing, seemingly recorded in the White House Situation Room.
He lashed out at his former friend in a series of tweets.
"Wacky Omarosa, who got fired three times on the Apprentice, now got fired for the last time. She never made it, never will. She begged me for a job, tears in her eyes, I said ok.
"People in the White House hated her. She was vicious, but not smart. I would rarely see her but heard really bad things," Mr Trump tweeted.
"Nasty to people and would constantly miss meetings and work."
He came to office vowing to hire "only the best people" - but has struggled to put a lid on leaks, backbiting and scandal inside his White House.
Mr Trump has also dangled the prospect of legal action against his former protege: "Wacky Omarosa already has a fully signed non-disclosure agreement," he said. - AFP
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