Trump names digital expert to head 2020 reelection bid

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US President Donald Trump is already looking ahead to a 2020 reelection campaign, naming Brad Parscale to lay the groundwork for a bid to stay in the White House for a second term.

It was not immediately clear whether the 42-year-old political strategist Parscale, a digital expert who was critical to Trump's 2016 victory, would still be in place as campaign manager when the race begins in earnest.

Donald Trump stands with his family after his announcement that he will run for the 2016 presidential election on June 16, 2015. /VCG Photo

In a statement on Tuesday, the Trump campaign said it planned to use Parscale to help Republicans in the 2018 congressional elections in November as they try to hold on to control of the US Congress.

Who is Parscale?

Before entering politics, Kansas-born Parscale worked for the Trump Organization on digital marketing.

In 2016 he made a name for himself through a controversial effort to depress voter turnout among minorities, AFP reported, with a heavy focus on Facebook and Twitter. That has put Parscale at the center of questions about possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia.

Brad Parscale and Steve Mnuchin at Trump Tower in New York, NY, on November 16, 2016. /VCG Photo

Responding to a request from a Congressional inquiry, Parscale said that he was "unaware of any Russian involvement in the digital and data operations of the 2016 Trump presidential campaign." He said the only collaboration involved working with staff from Facebook, Google and Twitter, the Republican Party and controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica.

Permanent campaign?

Trump, 71, had already signaled plans to run for re-election, filing a letter of intent with the Federal Election Commission on January 20, 2017, the day he took office.

The appointment of Parscale is another sign of what analysts have called America's "permanent campaign."

The statement included supportive statements from Trump's son, Eric Trump, and son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner.

"Brad is an amazing talent and was pivotal to our success in 2016. He has our family's complete trust and is the perfect person to be at the helm of the campaign," said Eric Trump.

Republicans face challenges in trying to retain control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Typically, the party in control of the White House loses seats in the first election after a new president takes over.

(With input from agencies)

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