WorldNEW YORK, AFP -Donald Trump denied Wednesday that his White House transition is in disarray amid reports of a backstabbing purge of mainstream Republican aspirants as he puts together his new administration. In a burst of tweets, Trump also rejected as “false” a New York Times report that foreign leaders were having trouble getting through to the billionaire president-elect. Two members of the transition team quit, reportedly pushed out by Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner in what was described as a purge of associates of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Media said Trump has requested top-secret clearance for Kushner -- a real estate developer who is married to Ivanka Trump -- so that he can join the daily presidential briefings. Trump also drew fierce criticism when he also announced that anti-establishment firebrand Steve Bannon would be his chief strategist.

Source: Sunday Times November 16, 2016 15:51 UTC