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 notable for her role as Senior Counselor to President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2020. She gained prominence as Trump's campaign manager, becoming the first woman to successfully manage a U.S. presidential campaign in 2016. Prior to her involvement with the Trump administration, Conway held various positions as a campaign manager and strategist within the Republican Party. She also served as president and CEO of The Polling Company/WomanTrend, demonstrating her expertise in polling and market research.

Sections (4)

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

1939: Hatch Act of 1939

In 1939, the Hatch Act was enacted.

1984: Connection with Orwell's 1984

Following Kellyanne Conway's use of the phrase "alternative facts", sales of George Orwell's dystopian novel, 1984, increased. It became the number-one bestseller on Amazon.com.

1984: 75th Anniversary

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2011: Bowling Green Arrest

In 2011, two Iraqi refugees were arrested in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This was suggested to be the event Conway was referencing when speaking about the Bowling Green Massacre.

January 25, 2016: Criticized 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: Report on the term 'Alternative Facts'

In January 2017, The Guardian reported that a search of 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 "Bowling Green massacre" on Hardball with Chris Matthews, later clarifying she meant "Bowling Green terrorists".

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February 5, 2017: CNN Opted Not to Book Conway

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

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February 9, 2017: Conway promotes Ivanka Trump's products on Fox & Friends

On February 9, 2017, during an appearance on Fox & Friends, Kellyanne Conway encouraged viewers to purchase Ivanka Trump's products, leading to ethics complaints for violating federal law prohibiting the use of a federal position for endorsing a product.

February 15, 2017: Criticism and ban from MSNBC's Morning Joe

On February 15, 2017, Kellyanne Conway faced widespread criticism for inaccurate comments about Michael Flynn, leading to calls for her to be banned from television appearances and an official ban from MSNBC's Morning Joe.

February 2017: Banned from MSNBC's Morning Joe

In February 2017, Morning Joe, an MSNBC show, publicly banned Kellyanne Conway from appearing on the show.

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November 24, 2017: Ethics complaint filed against Conway by Walter Shaub

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

December 2017: Conway violates Hatch Act in television interviews

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

March 6, 2018: OSC report determines Conway violated the Hatch Act

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

2018: Special Counsel testifies about Conway's Hatch Act violations

In 2018, Special Counsel Henry Kerner testified that Conway had been found guilty of two Hatch Act violations.

2018: OSC report on Hatch Act violations

In 2018, the OSC prepared a report on Hatch Act violations by Conway.

March 2019: Trump criticizes George Conway

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

May 2019: Conway declares Hatch Act attempts to silence her will fail

In May 2019, Kellyanne Conway declared that attempts to silence her through the Hatch Act would not succeed, 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".

May 2019: Conway criticizes Democratic presidential candidates

In May 2019, the OSC noted Conway's criticism from February to May 2019 of candidates such as Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Beto O'Rourke, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Kirsten Gillibrand, and also called her violations "egregious, notorious, and ongoing".

June 13, 2019: OSC recommends Conway's removal for Hatch Act violations

On June 13, 2019, the OSC formally recommended that Kellyanne Conway be removed from federal service, citing multiple Hatch Act violations by Conway since the preparation of its 2018 report, "by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity during television interviews and on social media".

June 2019: Office of Special Counsel Recommended Firing

In June 2019, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel recommended that Kellyanne Conway be fired for multiple violations of the Hatch Act of 1939.

June 26, 2019: Conway does not appear at House Committee hearing

On June 26, 2019, Kellyanne Conway did not appear at a hearing by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, leading that committee to issue a subpoena for her.

January 2021: Claudia Conway claims abuse by her mother

In January 2021, Claudia Conway claimed that her mother has been "physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive," posting videos on TikTok appearing to show her mother screaming at and even once hitting her.

January 25, 2021: Topless photo of Claudia Conway shared from Kellyanne's Twitter account

On January 25, 2021, Kellyanne Conway's official Twitter account shared a topless photo of a girl later confirmed to be Claudia Conway, leading to a New Jersey police investigation.