Trump operation replaces Lewandowski after claims of sexual impropriety
Corey Lewandowski, a top aide to former President Trump, has been removed as chairman of the MAGA Action political action committee, just days after he allegedly sexually harassed a Trump donor this past weekend.
Trump’s director of communications Taylor Budowich announced on Twitter that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi would be replacing Lewandowski as the head of the MAGA Action PAC.
“Pam Bondi, the very talented and honorable frmr AG of FL, has our complete faith and confidence in taking over MAGA Action. Corey Lewandowski will be going on to other endeavors and we very much want to thank him for his service. He will no longer be associated with Trump World,” wrote Budowich.
Pam Bondi, the very talented and honorable frmr AG of FL, has our complete faith and confidence in taking over MAGA Action. Corey Lewandowski will be going on to other endeavors and we very much want to thank him for his service. He will no longer be associated with Trump World.
— Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) September 29, 2021
Trump donor Trashelle Odom told Politico in a report published on Wednesday that Lewandowski had repeatedly touched her legs and buttocks, used sexually graphic language and “stalked” her.
“On the evening of September 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada, I attended a dinner to support a charity and spend time with wonderful friends,” Odom said. “He repeatedly touched me inappropriately, said vile and disgusting things to me, stalked me, and made me feel violated and fearful.”
Lewandowski did not respond to Politico’s requests for comment. His lawyer, David Chesnoff, told the outlet: “Accusations and rumors appear to be morphing by the minute and we will not dignify them with a further response.”
Politico reported that Odom and her husband, Idaho construction executive John Odom, demanded that their donation be returned unless Lewandowski’s ties to the Trump PAC were cut.
Lewandowski has been a part of Trump’s team since his 2016 presidential campaign, though he was fired as campaign manager shortly before Trump received the RNC’s nomination. He stayed on as a senior adviser to Trump and later joined his 2020 campaign towards its end.
Earlier this year, Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Bender wrote in his book “Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost” that Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence fought over hiring Lewandowski in 2018, with Trump opposed.
Trump later denied this report, saying “No such fight ever happened,” though Bender defended his reporting, saying it was corroborated by multiple sources.
Lewandowski’s departure from Trump’s inner circle comes the same week he was also reported to be carrying on an affair with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R).
Conservative content site American Greatness published a report this week saying Lewandowski and Noem, both of whom are married, were involved in an affair.
On Wednesday, Noem denied the report, calling the allegations a “disgusting lie.”
“These rumors are total garbage and a disgusting lie. These old, tired attacks on conservative women are based on a falsehood that we can’t achieve anything without a man’s help,” Noem tweeted.
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