An aide to Donald Trump’s presidential effort has resigned after publicly celebrating the firing earlier in the day of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
After news of Lewandowski’s termination was announced, aide Michael Caputo tweeted “Ding dong the witch is dead!” and linked to a video of the song from The Wizard of Oz.
Ding dong the witch is dead! https://t.co/pSqQwmAGz1 pic.twitter.com/5dE7GMeEK6
— Michael Caputo (@MichaelRCaputo) June 20, 2016
That tweet was picked up by news organizations as evidence of Lewandowski’s unpopularity among some in the campaign known for in-fighting, power struggles and heated rivalries.
By Monday afternoon, Caputo resigned in a letter first obtained by CNN.
“I regret sending out a tweet today alluding to the firing of Corey Lewandowski,” Caputo said. “In hindsight, that was too exuberant a reaction to this personnel move. I know this is a distraction from the kind of campaign you want to run, so I’m resigning my position as director of communications for caucus operations at the 2016 Republican Convention. Let’s make this immediate.”
Caputo also wrote: “I wish you success in the months ahead. I continue to believe Donald Trump must be elected president in November. With you at the helm, I know he can. Call if I can help.”
Asked about Caputo’s comments during a television appearance on CNN on Monday, Lewandowski sought to downplay the advisor’s role.
“I don’t know Michael Caputo,” Lewandowski said. “He’s a volunteer who’s been to the campaign for three or four weeks. I think he’s actually in Cleveland; I don’t really know what he does for the campaign.”