Former Trump Campaign Chief of Staff Demoted in July Attempts Suicide

Former Campaign Chief Brad Pascale Suicide Attempt
Hospitalized After Persuasion by Local Florida Police

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Brad Pascale, former chief of Donald Trump's U.S. presidential campaign, attempted an extreme act and was transported to a hospital.

On the 27th (local time), CNN cited the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in Florida, reporting that Brad Pascale, former Trump campaign chief, attempted suicide. Local police responded to a report of a man armed with a firearm attempting suicide and confirmed that the man was Pascale. The informant was identified as Pascale's wife.

Brad Pascale, former Trump campaign manager
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Police at the scene contacted Pascale's wife and confirmed that Pascale was inside the house armed with multiple firearms and threatening self-harm. Subsequently, local police made contact with Pascale, persuaded him, and got him to come outside. Pascale was uninjured and was transported to the hospital.

He was known to have played a significant role in data analysis during Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. After the election victory, he was active in American First Policy, the organization for Trump's re-election campaign, and was appointed campaign chief in February 2018.

The reasons behind Pascale's extreme attempt remain unknown. Until July of this year, he was in charge of leading Trump's election campaign. However, after the Tulsa rally in Oklahoma, he was demoted to senior advisor for data and digital operations. CNN reported that after the demotion, Pascale did not appear at the campaign.

Trump appointed Bill Stepien, former White House Director of Political Strategy, as the new campaign chief. Regarding the sudden replacement of the campaign chief, U.S. media viewed it as related to Trump's declining approval ratings. Additionally, the poor turnout at the recent Tulsa rally in Oklahoma is believed to have influenced the campaign's restructuring. Trump sought to change the atmosphere at his first rally since the COVID-19 pandemic but operational issues were revealed, including many empty seats at the venue.

Because of this, there were strong calls from Trump supporters and campaign officials to dismiss Pascale.

Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump's campaign, stated, "Pascale is part of our family and we love him," adding, "We plan to help him and his family in any way possible."