Major Controversies Surrounding Corey Lewandowski: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Corey Lewandowski—discover key moments of controversy.

Corey Lewandowski is an American political operative, lobbyist, commentator, and author best known for his close association with Donald Trump. He served as the initial campaign manager for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign but was later dismissed. Following his campaign role, Lewandowski transitioned into media, working as a political commentator for networks like OANN and Fox News, maintaining his presence in the political sphere.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1999: Arrested for Bringing Gun to Office Building

In 1999, while working for Ney, Corey Lewandowski was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun in a laundry bag into the Longworth House Office Building and charged with a misdemeanor. The charges were eventually dismissed.

2001: Comments Interpreted as Suggesting Divided Loyalties

Lewandowski's comments regarding Sununu's fundraising and alleged ties to Hamas were interpreted as publicly suggesting that Sununu, who is of Lebanese descent, had divided loyalties in fighting terrorism in 2001.

March 8, 2016: Press Conference Altercation

On March 8, 2016, Michelle Fields approached Donald Trump with a question after a press conference in Jupiter, Florida. This led to an alleged incident where Corey Lewandowski forcefully moved her out of the way, an event which was reported by Fields on March 10, 2016.

March 10, 2016: Michelle Fields' Account of Altercation

On March 10, 2016, Michelle Fields, a reporter for Breitbart News, wrote that after a March 8, 2016 press conference, Corey Lewandowski forcefully moved her out of the way of the Trump entourage. Lewandowski was reported to be acting in response to a Secret Service pathway.

March 19, 2016: Criticism for Handling of Protester

On March 19, 2016, during a campaign event in Tucson, Arizona, Corey Lewandowski faced criticism for his handling of a protester. A video showed Lewandowski grabbing the protester by the collar, though this was denied by the campaign and Lewandowski himself.

June 20, 2016: Legal Complaint Served to Trump Campaign

On the morning of June 20, 2016, the Trump campaign was served with a legal complaint from its North Carolina Digital Director, Vincent Bordini, alleging misconduct and suppression of information.

July 2016: Defended Trump's controversial tweet

In July 2016, Corey Lewandowski defended Donald Trump after he was criticized for tweeting a graphic labeling Hillary Clinton as the "most corrupt candidate" with imagery evoking antisemitic conspiracy theories. During an appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Lewandowski dismissed allegations of antisemitism, calling criticism of the tweet "political correctness run amok."

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August 2016: Espoused "birther" conspiracy theory on CNN

In August 2016, Corey Lewandowski promoted the "birther" conspiracy theory on CNN, suggesting that President Barack Obama was not a natural-born citizen of the United States. His statement drew criticism from other panelists, Angela Rye and Bakari Sellers.

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February 2017: Avenue Strategies Agrees to Lobby for Citgo

In February 2017, Avenue Strategies "quietly agreed" to lobby for Citgo Petroleum Corporation. In April they signed a $25,000 a month contract as tensions mounted between the United States, Venezuela, and Russia.

June 19, 2017: Meeting with President Trump

On June 19, 2017, Corey Lewandowski (a private citizen) joined President Trump in the Oval Office for a one-on-one meeting where Trump dictated a statement for Attorney General Jeff Sessions regarding the Russia investigation.

July 30, 2017: Lewandowski tells Trump to fire Richard Cordray

On July 30, 2017, during an episode of Meet the Press, Corey Lewandowski told President Trump to fire Richard Cordray, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who had been working to enact new payday lending regulations. Lewandowski denied advocating for a client when questioned by Chuck Todd.

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November 28, 2017: Joy Villa's Police Complaint

On November 28, 2017, Joy Villa filed a police complaint against Corey Lewandowski for allegedly slapping her buttocks at a holiday party at the Trump Hotel in Washington, D.C. Villa claimed that Lewandowski made inappropriate remarks after she threatened to report him.

2017: Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia

In 2017, the racist and violent Unite the Right rally occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia, an event that Lewandowski later discussed in 2018 on 'Who Is America?', suggesting that one "had to respect" white supremacists. The 2017 Unite the Right rally became a focal point in discussions about racism and violence.

April 2018: Interviewed as part of Special Counsel Investigation

In April 2018, Corey Lewandowski was interviewed as part of the special counsel investigation with regard to whether Trump had committed obstruction of justice.

June 19, 2018: "Womp, Womp" Comment on Fox News

On June 19, 2018, Corey Lewandowski appeared on Fox News and responded with "womp, womp" when a Democratic strategist mentioned a case of a 10-year-old immigrant girl with Down syndrome being separated from her mother. The comment sparked widespread criticism.

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June 27, 2018: Revisited Immigrant Child Topic on CNN

On June 27, 2018, Corey Lewandowski revisited the topic of the 10-year-old immigrant child on CNN, asserting that she was separated at the border because her mother was potentially involved in a child-smuggling ring. This contradicted available evidence, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated the child was a "material witness."

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2018: Appearance in 'Who Is America?'

In 2018, Corey Lewandowski appeared in Sacha Baron Cohen's prank comedy series "Who Is America?", discussing Donald Trump's presidency and views with a conspiracy theorist character. During the interview, Lewandowski's comments suggested a degree of respect for white supremacists in relation to the 2017 Unite the Right rally.

September 2019: Testified Before House Judiciary Committee

In September 2019, Corey Lewandowski testified before the House Judiciary Committee. He stated that he had "no obligation to be honest with the media because they're just as dishonest as anyone else," when questioned about discrepancies between his statements to Mueller and to the media.

October 2, 2019: Fox Business Network Interview

On October 2, 2019, Corey Lewandowski appeared to slur his words during an interview on Fox Business Network. The host, Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, questioned if he had been drinking wine and ended the interview abruptly.

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December 2020: Appointed to and then Fired From Defense Business Board

In December 2020, Corey Lewandowski was appointed to the Defense Business Board by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller. However, the Pentagon later prevented him from being seated, and then Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin fired Lewandowski as part of a purge to derail Trump's last-minute political appointments.

September 2021: Accusations and Separation from Trump World

In September 2021, Corey Lewandowski allegedly made sexual advances towards the wife of a major Trump donor. As a result, a Trump spokesman stated that Lewandowski "will no longer be associated with Trump World."

September 2021: Removal from Make America Great Again Action

In September 2021, Corey Lewandowski was removed from his role as chairman of the super PAC Make America Great Again Action following reports of sexual harassment accusations from a donor. This marked a significant career challenge for Lewandowski.

September 2021: Sexual Misconduct Allegations at Charity Dinner

In September 2021, at a charity dinner in Las Vegas, Trashelle Odom accused Corey Lewandowski of unwanted sexual advances, including inappropriate touching and sexually graphic language. Witnesses reported Lewandowski appeared intoxicated, leading to further scrutiny.

September 2022: Misdemeanor Battery Charge and Plea Agreement

In September 2022, Corey Lewandowski was charged with misdemeanor battery in Clark County, Nevada court concerning the September 2021 incident. He reached a plea agreement, not admitting wrongdoing but agreeing to pay a fine, perform community service, and undergo counseling, with the charge potentially dismissed after a year of compliance.

September 2023: Reports of Extramarital Affair

In September 2023, the New York Post and the Daily Mail published reports alleging that Corey Lewandowski was having an extramarital affair with South Dakota governor Kristi Noem. Noem's spokesman denied these reports, adding to the ongoing scrutiny.