The move
reflects a sense within Trump's family that Priebus is being too
negative and the fallout from Trump's tape may not be as bad as it
seems.
It comes as RNC sources
have made clear they're waiting to see how Sunday night's debate goes to
determine whether they will continue to work with and for Trump to get
him elected. It is entirely possible the RNC may cut ties and focus on
down ballot races because there could be a revolt among Republicans
demanding the party not spend resources on a losing battle, according to
the source.
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, a CNN political commentator, trashed Priebus on Sunday night before the debate.
"Not only is he weak, he is a failed leader," Lewandowski told CNN's Erin Burnett.
Meanwhile, Trump's alliance with another key supporter -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie -- appears in question.
Christie did not accompany Trump's family and other close advisers on
his campaign plane to St. Louis the debate with Hillary Clinton. A Trump
campaign source told CNN's Jim Acosta Christie had issues to attend to
in the state, but very much looks forward to watching the debate on TV
this evening.
But his absence is notable, since
Christie had taken the reins of Trump's debate preparation and was at
Trump's town hall Thursday in New Hampshire -- an event that advisers
planned to familiarize Trump with a style he hadn't practiced.
The
splintering of Trump's support comes as the GOP nominee grapples with
the fallout of a 2005 video in which he bragged before an "Access
Hollywood" interview that his star status allows him to be sexually
aggressive with women.
In a
Facebook video posted in the early Saturday morning hours, Trump
apologized for the remarks -- but also signaled that he plans to attack
Hillary Clinton over her handling of Bill Clinton's infidelities in
Sunday's town hall-style debate.
Trump's 2005 remarks, and what many saw
as an insincere response, led to a revolt Saturday within GOP ranks, as
more than two dozen high-profile figures -- including the 2008
Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, and 15 other senators --
said they no longer supported their party's nominee.
The
Republican National Committee on Saturday put a temporary pause on its
direct mail operations to determine whether it needs to change its
message and other get-out-the-vote efforts, a top RNC official told CNN
Saturday.
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