ZeroHedge.com

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday morning that Kellyanne Conway, his former campaign manager who stepped in halfway through the presidential campaign to boost Trump’s victory chances, will serve as counselor to the president when he takes office denying speculation that Conway would have no role in the incoming administration.

According to the statement released by Trump’s transition team, Conway will continue her role as a close adviser to the president-elect, working with senior leadership to “effectively message and execute the Administration’s legislative priorities and actions.”

“Kellyanne Conway has been a trusted advisor and strategist who played a crucial role in my victory. She is a tireless and tenacious advocate of my agenda and has amazing insights on how to effectively communicate our message. I am pleased that she will be part of my senior team in the West Wing,” Trump said.

“A Trump presidency will bring real change to Washington and to Americans across this great nation. I am humbled and honored to play a role in helping transform the movement he has led into a real agenda of action and results,” Conway added.

In an interview with ABC News shortly after the announcement, Conway said Trump was finalizing his communications staff and was preparing to announce his choices for White House press secretary and related posts soon but gave no other details. Asked when Trump would hold his first news conference after canceling one earlier this month, Conway avoided directly answering the question. Trump has held several rallies since winning the Nov. 8 election but has not taken formal questions from reporters.

As the Hill adds, Conway previously turned down a position as the president-elect’s press secretary, and was rumored to be taking an external position working for the Trump administration. “My family is going to move to Washington D.C. and I will either stay outside and run the political super structure or I will go into the West Wing and take a position right next to the president where I feel like I can serve him in the way I advise him off-camera, which is most of the advice and counsel I give,” she said on Tuesday, hinting at a her new role as a counselor.

Conway was the first female campaign manager of either major party to win a presidential general election.

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http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-12-22/trump-names-kellyanne-conway-counselor-president