Trump's campaign chairman resigns, Trump seeks reboot

NEW YORK: Donald Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, on Friday resigned under fire over a Ukrainian corruption investigation and after being sidelined in a reshuffle as the Republican nominee struggles to reverse sinking poll numbers.

Trump announced Manafort’s departure in a statement.

“This morning Paul Manafort offered, and I accepted, his resignation from the campaign. I am very appreciative for his great work in helping to get us where we are today, and in particular his work guiding us through the delegate and convention process. Paul is a true professional and I wish him the greatest success.”

Manafort officially took over the GOP nominee’s operation after Trump fired campaign manager Corey Lewandowski in June. But earlier this week, Trump suddenly elevated pollster Kellyanne Conway to campaign manager and Breitbart News executive Stephen Bannon to campaign CEO — an apparent demotion for Manafort.

Trump shocked many on Thursday by expressing “regret” for past mistakes and began airing his first television ads on Friday in a desperate attempt to chip into Democratic rival Hillary Clinton’s yawning lead in the polls.

The New York billionaire followed up by touring a flood-ravaged region of Louisiana, where officials say more than 86,000 people so far have registered for federal aid and 13 people have died.