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. Notably, she was Trump's campaign manager, becoming the first woman to manage a successful U.S. presidential campaign in 2016. Prior to her role in the Trump administration, Conway worked as a campaign manager and strategist within the Republican Party. She was also the president and CEO of The Polling Company/WomanTrend, highlighting her expertise in polling and market research.

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

1984: "Newspeak" Reminiscent of 1984

During a Meet the Press interview shortly after Trump's inauguration, Kellyanne Conway used the phrase "alternative facts", reminding some of "Newspeak" from George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984.

1984: 75th Anniversary

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2011: Arrest of Iraqi refugees in Bowling Green

On February 2, 2017, Kellyanne Conway referenced an event she termed the "Bowling Green massacre" during a Hardball with Chris Matthews interview to justify President Trump's immigration ban, but such an event never took place. Vox suggested Conway was referring to the 2011 arrest of two Iraqi refugees in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

January 25, 2016: Criticizes 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: No legal definition for alternative facts

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

February 2, 2017: "Bowling Green Massacre" Reference

February 5, 2017: CNN Opts 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."

February 9, 2017: Endorsement of Ivanka Trump Products

On February 9, 2017, Kellyanne Conway discussed Nordstrom's decision to drop Ivanka Trump's products on Fox & Friends and encouraged viewers to "Go buy Ivanka's stuff", leading to ethics complaints for violating federal law.

February 13, 2017: Conway's Claim and Flynn's Resignation

On February 13, 2017, Kellyanne Conway claimed that Michael Flynn had the president's "full confidence", hours before Flynn resigned as national security advisor.

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, alleging that she violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Doug Jones, a candidate in the 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.

2017: Ethics Violation Investigation

In 2017, while serving as Senior Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway faced calls for an investigation into an alleged ethics violation after she publicly endorsed commercial products associated with Ivanka Trump.

2018: Hatch Act Violations Found

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

2018: OSC Report on Hatch Act Violations

In 2018, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel prepared a report detailing Kellyanne Conway's Hatch Act violations.

March 2019: Trump's Response to George Conway's Criticism

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

May 2019: Conway Defiant on Hatch Act

In May 2019, Kellyanne Conway declared that attempts to silence her through the Hatch Act would not succeed, daring authorities to impose a jail sentence.

June 13, 2019: OSC Recommends Removal of Conway

On June 13, 2019, the OSC formally recommended that Kellyanne Conway be removed from federal service, citing multiple Hatch Act violations since their 2018 report. The violations included disparaging Democratic presidential candidates during television interviews and on social media from February to May 2019.

June 2019: Recommendation for 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, but she was not terminated.

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, leading to a subpoena for her appearance. 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 Resignation from Air Force Academy Board

In September 2021, President Biden requested that Kellyanne Conway resign from her position on the U.S. Air Force Academy's board of visitors. Conway refused and argued against her removal.