It’s been almost a week since a bombshell tip about a longtime Trump confidante was delivered to the Daily Mail via text message.
‘Hearing Corey Lewandowski got fired,’ said the White House leaker on Wednesday. Inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the claim seemed to spark confusion.
‘I’m not sure if he was fired,’ a senior communications aide told the Daily Mail. ‘Hearing he was furloughed as part of the federal government shutdown. Been getting messages about this all day.’
Six sources — two in the White House, three in the Department of Homeland Security (where Lewandowski is employed as a temporary staffer) and one Republican operative — gave the Daily Mail different explanations for why Lewandowski might be out.
One White House source said, ‘They want him out.’
For his part, Lewandowski – often referred to as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s de facto chief of staff – issued a furious denial on Wednesday.
‘How are those sources doing today?’ he emailed the Daily Mail.
Hours later, Lewandowski took to Twitter, posting: ‘I thought it only fitting today to share the words of the famous Mark Twain… The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.’
‘Hearing Corey Lewandowski got fired’ said the White House leaker on Wednesday. Inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the claim seemed to spark confusion
For his part, Lewandowski – often referred to as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s (pictured, right) de facto chief of staff – issued a furious denial on Wednesday
But five days after the Daily Mail first reach out to the White House, they have yet to address this reporting, directing questions to a DHS spokesperson, who said they ‘could not comment.’
The relative White House silence stands in stark contrast to how official Washington typically responds to damaging reports about staffers in good standing — with a firm statement of the president’s ‘full faith’ in the individual in question.
Then on Monday, the Daily Mail was told that there is an effort underway to oust Lewandowski — and it is being lead by White House Border Czar Tom Homan, according to a top GOP operative.
Last month, Homan found himself under the spotlight. Sources told the Associated Press that Homan was under investigation since late last year for accepting $50,000 from an undercover FBI agent.
Homan allegedly accepted the money — before he was tapped to serve in the administration — from an operative posing as businessman interested in government contracts related to the Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown.
The bribery probe has reportedly been closed by the US Justice Department. Homan has not responded to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
Five days after the Daily Mail first reach out to the White House, they have yet to address this reporting, directing questions to a DHS spokesperson, who said they ‘could not comment.’
The Daily Mail was told that there is an effort underway to oust Lewandowski – and it is being lead by White House Border Czar Tom Homan (pictured), according to a top GOP operative
On Thursday, Lewandowski fueled further speculation about his future by tweeting about the New Hampshire governor’s race.
‘Everyone says being a Governor is the best job in Politics. I agree,’ Lewandowski posted on X, after having spent the weekend in New Hampshire.
Lewandowski declined to say whether or not he expects the president’s endorsement should he seek office in New Hampshire.
A run for governor could hypothetically offer Lewandowski a graceful exit ramp from the administration. Indeed, ‘grace’ is not something typically associated with the controversial Trump foot solider.
Earlier this month, the Daily Mail reported on a memo laying out accusations that Lewandowski improperly accepted a combined $50,000 from the Chinese Communist Party and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s Likud Party.
A senior DHS official denied the report, telling the Daily Mail that Lewandowski never received any foreign money.
Lewandowski was abruptly let go from Trump’s 2016 campaign after being charged with simple battery for grabbing a female reporter, Michelle Fields, during a press event. The charges were later dropped.
In 2021, he was pushed out of Trump’s orbit again after the wife of a GOP donor, Trashelle Odom, accused him of stalking and harassing her at a Nevada charity dinner.
Lewandowski was charged with misdemeanor battery, but the charges were dropped after he agreed to community service, a $1,000 fine and an apology to Odom.
Lewandowski was abruptly let go from Trump’s 2016 campaign after being charged with simple battery for grabbing a female reporter
Lawyers for Lewandowski have said their client ‘was not charged with assault or stalking in Clark County, Nevada. In fact, the case against Mr. Lewandowski was dismissed.’
Finally, Lewandowski was booted off Trump’s 2024 campaign after reportedly clashing with campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita.
But, against the odds and raising eyebrows among Trump’s closest allies, he returned to the fold again after Trump defeated Kamala Harris.
For now, Lewandowski remains in his position – as a special government employee of DHS – a role meant to be temporary and limited to 130 working days per year without federal salary or benefits. A source at DHS said Lewandowski had about 60 days left on his term, which could take him to the end of the year.
