Reports: Trump to select RNC chair Reince Priebus as chief of staff
The real-estate mogul will formally announce Priebus' appointment later Sunday, the reports from CNN, Fox News, and Politico said.
Priebus' selection indicates Trump's desire to bring figures into the White House with close ties to the Republican Party.
CNN reported that House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner urged the president-elect to pick Priebus, who advised Trump closely following his selection as the Republican presidential nominee.
The other major contender for the job was campaign chair Steve Bannon, executive chairman of the alt-right news site Breitbart News. Observers noted that Bannon represented the outside pick - he's been quick to attack Republicans and Democrats alike, scheming with other right-wing media figures about how to oust Ryan for what Bannon perceived as globalist views on trade and immigration.
Indeed, Priebus' selection is unlikely to please everyone in Trump-world.
Longtime informal Trump advisor Roger Stone, a close Bannon-ally, argued on Twitter that tapping Priebus would raise eyebrows with Trump's base.
Stone joined other critics such as the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, a right-leaning PAC that backed Trump, but cited Priebus' "Washington insider" status its reason for opposing his selection.