Trump Launches Probe into Lewandowski Following Noem's Dismissal
President Donald Trump has allegedly instructed his staff to investigate Corey Lewandowski, the alleged secret lover of former immigration chief Kristi Noem, in the wake of a controversial $200 million advertising campaign. This development comes shortly after Trump fired Noem from her position as head of the Department of Homeland Security, a move prompted by a series of scandals including the shooting deaths of two US citizens by ICE officers.
Suspicious Surrounding the Multi-Million Dollar Campaign
According to reports from NBC News, Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about Lewandowski's involvement in the ad campaign, which featured Noem prominently on horseback in front of Mount Rushmore. The President expressed suspicion over whether Lewandowski, who served as a "special government employee" at the DHS, personally profited from the massive expenditure. A White House official stated, "He's mentioned the ads several times," indicating Trump's focus on the matter.
The $200 million campaign became a focal point during congressional oversight hearings last week, just prior to Noem's dismissal. Trump claimed he "wasn’t thrilled" when Noem informed officials that he had approved the project, adding that he "didn’t know anything about it." This discrepancy has fueled further scrutiny into the campaign's origins and beneficiaries.
Lewandowski's Role and Denials
Corey Lewandowski, who worked as an unofficial chief of staff to Noem, has strongly denied any financial gain from the ad campaign. In an interview with NBC News, he refuted allegations of profiteering. However, sources within the DHS have claimed that Lewandowski wielded significantly more power than his official role permitted, raising questions about his influence over agency decisions.
The ad campaign involved several firms with connections to Noem and Lewandowski. Safe America Media secured a no-bid contract worth $143 million to produce the ads, later subcontracting with Strategy Group, whose CEO is married to Noem's former assistant. Additionally, People Who Think, a firm run by a political operative with past ties to Lewandowski, received a $77 million contract.
Noem's Response to Affair Allegations
Kristi Noem, the former Governor of South Dakota married to insurance agent Bryon Noem since 1992, faced questioning during a House Judiciary Committee testimony on March 4 about her alleged affair with Lewandowski. She dismissed the inquiries as "garbage" but did not provide a direct denial. Noem had previously denied cheating allegations when they first surfaced in 2021.
The firing of Noem marks a significant shift in Trump's administration, as she was considered a MAGA loyalist. The combination of the ad campaign scandal and the alleged personal relationship has created a complex web of political and ethical issues that Trump is now keen to unravel through his investigation into Lewandowski.
