Sneed: Trump aides try to set him in a new direction

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Top tip.

Trump is being thumped.

Sneed is told:

• Republican National Committee Chief Reince Priebus basically seized the control button on Donald J. Trump’s errant mouth last week, although it’s apparent Trump’s “pinky swear” finger is not functioning yet.

• Trump’s campaign manager, Paul Manafort, who was encouraging The Donald to run amok, has been told to rein it in.

• Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, continues to hope his successor, Manafort, is fired.

• Trump and Ivana’s kids — Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric — are working ever so hard to privately stuff a political plug in their dad’s mouth.

And The Donald continues to be a little dickens.

Trump thump II . . .

Ka-ching!

Sneed is told Ken Griffin, the state’s richest man — who happens to also be a Republican and a huge donor to GOPer Gov. Bruce Rauner’s coffers — has yet to donate any money to Trump’s presidential campaign.

Malia’s timing?

Hmmm.

The web was burning up with a RadarOnline report Wednesday first daughter Malia Obama, 18, was snapped smoking what looked like pot while twerking away at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Sunday, July 31.

But hang on.

Here’s a timeline: Longtime pal/attorney Brendan O’Connor left Sneed a phone message that Sunday to report he had just spotted Malia and her girlfriends at Lollapalooza at 4 p.m.; observed them for about 45 minutes; noted the retinue of Secret Service agents; and was stunned by Malia’s impressive composure.

“Let me tell you, the Obamas would be very proud of the classy way Malia was handling herself,” O’Connor’s phone message stated.

“I did not engage with them, but I was only 20 feet away,” O’Connor told Sneed on Wednesday, shortly after the alleged pot story broke.

“Malia was sitting on the lawn with six girlfriends like normal kids, no VIP treatment. No guys in tow. All very respectful, and all behaving better than the average idiots attending the concerts. The Secret Service had a perimeter around her. And no one appeared to be drinking or smoking. They had walked around to see the group Years & Years and the singer Halsey.”

Less than an hour later, RadarOnline claimed, Malia was tagged by a witness inhaling what smelled like pot passed to her by some guy while watching the Bryson Tiller concert.

“I’d be very surprised,” said O’Connor. “The Secret Service may have been wearing casual shirts and summer shorts, but they were out in full force.”

Well, hey.

Dad’s advice . . .

Please note: Sneed is told first lady Michelle Obama toasted her husband as a great father during President Barack Obama’s 55th birthday party Friday night.

Sneed’s source, who was at the party, claims Michelle stated:

“No matter how weighty the issues were running at the Oval Office, Barack left the issues outside the door when it came to his family and indulged his girls with his understanding and love. No matter the topic, whether it was serious or inane teenage conversation, he was always there for his girls.”

Dad’s party . . .

It’s still a mystery why the president’s birthday bash had to be so hush-hush.

It was jammed; it was hard to get around; it was informal; it was a standing up party; no formal dinner was served; it was conducted throughout the White House in lots of different rooms; and there seemed to be in excess of 300 people composed of a lot of athletes — but very few politicians!

“He never liked dealing with them anyway,” chirped a party source.

I spy . . .

Actor John Cusack dined at Chicago q Saturday night with friends and then slipped over to Biggs next door for a cigar. . . . Former award-winning US 99.5 radio show host Lisa Dent lunching at Gibsons Wednesday with former Gov. Pat Quinn. . . . CBS Sports and tennis broadcaster Bill Macatee spotted at Tortoise Supper Club on Tuesday night.

Sneedlings . . .

Moving up the Uber ladder: Uber’s Midwest PR maven Brooke Anderson has been elevated to a global post leading the ride-hailing company’s security, safety and privacy communications. . . . Today’s birthdays: Hulk Hogan, 63; Viola Davis, 51, and Chris Hemsworth, 33.

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