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 known for his close association with Donald Trump. He served as the initial campaign manager for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign before being dismissed during the Republican Primary. Following his campaign role, Lewandowski transitioned into media, working as a political commentator for One America News Network (OANN) and Fox News, further solidifying his presence in the political and media landscape.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1999: Arrested for Bringing Handgun into Office Building

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

March 8, 2016: Trump Press Conference in Jupiter, Florida

Michelle Fields, a reporter for Breitbart News, approached Donald Trump with a question following a press conference in Jupiter, Florida, on March 8, 2016. This encounter led to allegations against Corey Lewandowski for forcefully moving Fields out of the way.

March 10, 2016: Fields Accusation

On March 10, 2016, Michelle Fields, a reporter for Breitbart News, wrote that, after she asked Donald Trump a question when she approached him after a March 8, 2016, press conference in Jupiter, Florida, she was forcefully moved out of the way of the Trump entourage by Lewandowski as Lewandowski attempted to exit next to Trump.

March 19, 2016: Criticism for Handling of Protester

On March 19, 2016, during a campaign event in Tucson, Arizona, Corey Lewandowski drew criticism for his handling of a protester. Video footage showed Lewandowski grabbing the protester by the collar, although the campaign denied this.

June 20, 2016: Legal complaint served to Trump campaign

On June 20, 2016, the Trump campaign received a legal complaint from its North Carolina Digital Director, Vincent Bordini, alleging misconduct by the North Carolina State Director, Earl Phillip.

July 2016: Lewandowski defends Trump's controversial tweet

In July 2016, Corey Lewandowski defended Donald Trump after he tweeted a graphic that labeled Hillary Clinton the "most corrupt candidate" with a pile of cash and a six-pointed star. Lewandowski denied allegations of antisemitism on CNN's State of the Union.

July 2016: Lewandowski hired by CNN as political commentator

In July 2016, Corey Lewandowski was hired by CNN as a political commentator shortly after leaving the Trump campaign, remaining subject to a non-disclosure agreement. CNN hosts began disclosing Lewandowski's severance payments before his appearances after Media Matters for America raised concerns.

August 2016: Lewandowski espouses 'birther' conspiracy theory on CNN

In August 2016, Corey Lewandowski promoted the "birther" conspiracy theory on CNN, questioning Barack Obama's citizenship, drawing criticism from other panelists.

December 2016: Citgo loan from Rosneft

In December 2016, Citgo took out a loan from Russian state-owned oil giant Rosneft that it has been unable to pay and is under threat of a takeover by Rosneft.

February 2017: Avenue Strategies agrees to lobby for Citgo

In February 2017, Avenue Strategies, which Corey Lewandowski was affiliated with, agreed to lobby for Citgo Petroleum Corporation amid mounting tensions between the United States, Venezuela, and Russia.

April 28, 2017: POLITICO reveals documents about Washington East West Political Strategies

On April 28, 2017, POLITICO published an article that revealed documents about Washington East West Political Strategies and their international recruitment vehicles, which were created by Lewandowski, Bennett, and associates.

May 3, 2017: Public Citizen asks for investigation into Lewandowski

On May 3, 2017, Public Citizen requested the U.S. Department of Justice investigate whether Corey Lewandowski should have registered as a foreign or domestic lobbyist.

June 19, 2017: Lewandowski meets with President Trump regarding Jeff Sessions

On June 19, 2017, Corey Lewandowski met with President Trump where Trump dictated a statement for Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Lewandowski attempted to arrange a meeting with Sessions.

July 2017: Community Choice Financial offers Lewandowski a retainer

In July 2017, Community Choice Financial, a payday lender, offered Corey Lewandowski a $20,000-a-month retainer.

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

On July 30, 2017, Corey Lewandowski told President Trump to fire Richard Cordray, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, on Meet the Press, while denying having any clients.

November 28, 2017: Joy Villa Filed 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.

2017: Lewandowski comments on Unite the Right rally

In 2018, during an interview on 'Who is America?', Corey Lewandowski suggested that one "had to respect" white supremacists while discussing the racist and violent 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

April 2018: Lewandowski interviewed in special counsel investigation

In April 2018, Corey Lewandowski was interviewed as part of the special counsel investigation regarding potential obstruction of justice by President Trump, recounting events related to Jeff Sessions.

June 19, 2018: Lewandowski responds 'womp, womp' to story of separated child

On June 19, 2018, Corey Lewandowski appeared on Fox News alongside Democratic strategist Zac Petkanas and responded "womp, womp" to a story about a 10-year-old immigrant girl with Down syndrome being separated from her mother, drawing widespread criticism.

June 27, 2018: Lewandowski Comments on Immigrant Child Separation

On June 27, 2018, Corey Lewandowski asserted on CNN that a 10-year-old immigrant separated at the border was separated because her mother was a potential member of a child-smuggling ring, contradicting available evidence. U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated the child was a "material witness."

2018: Appearance on "Who Is America?"

In 2018, Corey Lewandowski appeared on Sacha Baron Cohen's prank comedy series "Who Is America?", discussing Donald Trump with Baron Cohen's alter-ego, Billy Wayne Ruddick Jr.

February 2019: Lewandowski denies Trump involvement with Sessions in MSNBC interview

In February 2019, Corey Lewandowski stated in an interview with MSNBC that he did not recall President Trump asking him to get involved with Jeff Sessions or the Department of Justice.

September 2019: Lewandowski testifies before House Judiciary Committee

In September 2019, Corey Lewandowski testified before the House Judiciary Committee and defended his discrepancies between statements made to Mueller and the media, asserting no obligation to be honest with the media.

October 2, 2019: Lewandowski's slurred interview on Fox Business Network

On October 2, 2019, Corey Lewandowski gave an interview on Fox Business Network in which his speech was slurred, prompting the host to ask if he had consumed alcohol.

December 2020: Lewandowski appointed to and removed from Defense Business Board

In December 2020, Christopher Miller appointed Corey Lewandowski to the Defense Business Board, but the Pentagon later prevented him from being seated, and Lloyd Austin subsequently fired him.

September 2021: Accusations of Sexual Advances

In September 2021, Corey Lewandowski was accused of making sexual advances towards the wife of a major Trump donor, leading to a Trump spokesman saying Lewandowski "will no longer be associated with Trump World."

September 2021: Lewandowski Removed as Super PAC Chairman

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.

September 2021: Accused of Sexual Advances at Charity Dinner

In September 2021, at a charity dinner at the Westgate Las Vegas hotel, Trashelle Odom accused Corey Lewandowski of making unwanted sexual advances, including repeatedly touching her and speaking to her in sexually graphic terms. Odom alleged that Lewandowski "stalked" her throughout the hotel and appeared intoxicated.

September 2022: Charged with Misdemeanor Battery

In September 2022, Corey Lewandowski was charged with misdemeanor battery in Clark County, Nevada court in connection with the incident. He made a plea agreement to pay a $1,000 fine, serve 50 hours of community service, and take eight hours of "impulse control counseling".

September 2023: Reports of Extramarital Affair

In September 2023, the New York Post and the Daily Mail published reports about Corey Lewandowski having an extramarital affair with South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, which Noem's spokesman denied.