Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kellyanne Conway

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Kellyanne Conway.

Kellyanne Conway is an American political consultant and pollster best known for serving as Senior Counselor to President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2020. She made history as the first woman to manage a successful U.S. presidential campaign, leading Trump's campaign to victory in 2016. Prior to this, she worked as a campaign manager and strategist within the Republican Party and was the president and CEO of The Polling Company/WomanTrend, a polling and market research firm.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1984: Allusion to 1984

During a Meet the Press interview, Kellyanne Conway used the phrase "alternative facts," reminding some of "Newspeak" from George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, which resulted in increased sales of the book.

1984: 75th Anniversary

Check it on Amazon

2011: Arrest of Iraqi Refugees

Vox suggested Conway was referring to the 2011 arrest of two Iraqi refugees in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

January 25, 2016: Criticism of Donald Trump

On January 25, 2016, Kellyanne Conway criticized Donald Trump as "a man who seems to be offending his way to the nomination."

January 2017: Lack of Legal Definition

In January 2017, The Guardian reported that a search of several online legal dictionaries did not yield any results for the term "alternative facts."

February 2, 2017: "Bowling Green Massacre" Reference

On February 2, 2017, Kellyanne Conway referenced a non-existent event called the "Bowling Green massacre" during an interview on Hardball with Chris Matthews to justify President Trump's immigration ban.

Loading Video...

February 5, 2017: CNN Doesn't Book Conway

On February 5, 2017, CNN opted not to book Kellyanne Conway as a guest due to "serious questions about her credibility."

Loading Video...

February 9, 2017: Endorsement of Ivanka Trump Products

On February 9, 2017, Kellyanne Conway endorsed Ivanka Trump's products on Fox & Friends, leading to ethics complaints for violating federal law.

Loading Video...

November 24, 2017: Ethics complaint filed against Conway

On November 24, 2017, Walter Shaub, the former director of the OGE, filed an ethics complaint against Kellyanne Conway, arguing that she violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Doug Jones, a candidate in the 2017 U.S. Senate special election in Alabama.

December 2017: Hatch Act violation

In December 2017, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) determined that Kellyanne Conway violated the Hatch Act in two television interviews.

March 6, 2018: OSC report on Hatch Act violation

On March 6, 2018, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) issued its final report, determining that Kellyanne Conway violated the Hatch Act in two television interviews in November and December 2017.

2018: Guilty of two Hatch Act violations

In 2018, Kellyanne Conway was found guilty of two Hatch Act violations.

2018: OSC report

In 2018, the OSC prepared a report citing Hatch Act violations.

March 2019: Trump Responds to George Conway's Criticism

In March 2019, President Trump responded to criticism from Kellyanne Conway's husband, George, by describing George as a "stone cold LOSER & husband from hell". Kellyanne defended Trump.

May 2019: Criticism of Democratic presidential candidates

From February to May 2019, Kellyanne Conway criticized Democratic presidential candidates such as Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Beto O'Rourke, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Kirsten Gillibrand.

May 2019: Conway Defiant on Hatch Act

In May 2019, Kellyanne Conway declared that attempts to silence her through the Hatch Act would be unsuccessful, stating, "If you're trying to silence me through the Hatch Act, it's not going to work ... Let me know when the jail sentence starts".

June 13, 2019: OSC Recommends Conway's Removal

On June 13, 2019, the OSC formally recommended that Kellyanne Conway be removed from federal service, citing multiple Hatch Act violations since its 2018 report. These violations included disparaging Democratic presidential candidates from February to May 2019 during television interviews and on social media. The OSC highlighted her criticism of candidates such as Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Beto O'Rourke, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Kirsten Gillibrand, calling her violations "egregious, notorious, and ongoing".

June 2019: Recommendation for Firing

In June 2019, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel recommended that Kellyanne Conway be fired for "unprecedented" multiple violations of the Hatch Act of 1939, but she was not fired.

June 26, 2019: House Committee Hearing and Subpoena

On June 26, 2019, Kellyanne Conway did not appear at a hearing by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which led the committee to issue a subpoena for her. At the hearing, Special Counsel Henry Kerner testified that Conway had been found guilty of two Hatch Act violations in 2018 and 11 in 2019.

September 2021: Biden requests Conway's resignation

In September 2021, President Biden sent Kellyanne Conway a letter requesting her resignation from her position on the U.S. Air Force Academy's board of visitors, informing her that she'd otherwise be dismissed from it. Conway refused.