The incredible life of Trump's 'bag man' - who became famous from a viral trick-shot football video and is now under investigation for financial crimes

Michal Kranz

Mar 14, 2018, 19:52 IST

The incredible life of Trump's 'bag man' - who became famous from a viral trick-shot football video and is now under investigation for financial crimes

John McEntee.

While the news cycle was understandably focused on Rex Tillerson's departure as secretary of state, he wasn't the only person who left President Donald Trump orbit on Tuesday.

The other was a 27-year-old White House aide named John McEntee, who was escorted out of the president's residence amid a financial-crimes investigation.

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McEntee served as Trump's longtime personal assistant. After his departure, Trump's 2020 reelection campaign quickly rehired him as the senior adviser for campaign operations.

Here's a young, viral football star ended up next to one of the most powerful men in the world:

Born on March 9, 1990, John D. McEntee II grew up in Anaheim, California, which is where his football talents first became apparent. He was a star athlete at Servite High School, where he threw 1,525 yards as a senior.

His father is a successful producer, manager, and agent who books stars from Snoop Dogg to Bette Midler for Vegas casinos and Fortune 500 companies. The family's palatial home reportedly has a painting of McEntee in the billiard room throwing a pass.

McEntee went on to become a starting quarterback at the University of Connecticut, where he continued to make waves. In 2011, he won the Joseph M. Giannelli Unsung Hero Award for his playing.

That same year, McEntee starred in a video titled "Johnny Mac Trick Shot Quarterback" of him making impressive football shots. The video went viral and was featured on CNN.

Shortly after graduating from UConn in 2012, McEntee went on to become a production assistant at Fox News, where he focused on the network's social media accounts.

Soon enough, he started volunteering on Trump's campaign. He snagged a full-time job as Trump's trip director in August 2015.

"I bought into the message," he said at the time. "I was sick of the career politicians."

After the election, Trump awarded McEntee with a job as his personal aide in the White House.

The position is sometimes called "bag man" because McEntee was responsible for the president's belongings.

He made a salary of $115,000. The top salary for White House staffers is $179,700.

McEntee was reportedly well liked in the West Wing, and amid a constantly shifting staff, he was able to hold onto his position close to the president.

McEntee is reportedly very close to the president, and is often the first staffer to see him in the morning and the last to see him at night. He apparently is one of few staffers who could get their called answered on the first ring.

McEntee was known as a reliable staffer despite his low profile outside the White House. "Johnny got it," former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said about McEntee. "Whatever we needed, it didn't matter: He was on it."

McEntee was known as a reliable staffer despite his low profile outside the White House. "Johnny got it," former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said about McEntee. "Whatever we needed, it didn't matter: He was on it."