Paul Manafort Resigns as Chairman of Trump Campaign

The move comes after he was demoted from campaign manager earlier in the week.

Paul Manafort has resigned as chairman of the Donald Trump's presidential campaign, effective Friday morning.

Read: See Awkward Moment CNN Anchor Tells Trump Adviser He's Down in the Polls: 'Says Who?'

In a statement, Trump said: “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."

The move comes less than three months before Election Day and after a week of shakeups within the GOP presidential nominee’s campaign.

Stephen Bannon and Kellyanne Conway were added to the campaign hierarchy as Manafort, the former campaign manager, was demoted to chairperson.

A source within the campaign told CNN that “Manafort told Trump he was becoming a distraction and he wanted to end that.”

The move comes less than a day after Trump expressed “regret” for some of the conduct he has exhibited on the campaign trail.

Speaking at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday afternoon, Trump, who spoke with the use of Teleprompters, said: “Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don’t choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that.

Read: Meeting of the Minds: Ivanka Trump Sits In on Her Father's National Security Summit

“Believe it or not, I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues. But one thing I can promise you is this: I will always tell you the truth.”

He then wasted no time in getting a chance to take a dig at presidential rival, Hillary Clinton, saying: “So while sometimes I can be too honest, Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite: She never tells the truth.”

Watch: Less Than 3 Months Before The Election, Trump Shakes Up Top Campaign Staff Again