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Kristi Noem remains married to Byron Noem despite their unconventional living arrangement, which has only fueled online chatter about her rumored affair with a former Trump campaign manager. The allegations involving Noem and Corey Lewandowski are not only sparking gossip but also impacting his professional standing. According to CNN, top officials within President Donald Trump’s administration are displeased with Lewandowski’s role as a special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security—a position linked to Noem’s influence—and are eager to remove him in the new year. A source characterized Lewandowski as someone who is quick to dismiss or discipline staff, despite lacking an official status. Trump’s awareness of this situation has reportedly led to dissatisfaction, even as he maintains a favorable opinion of Noem. As one insider noted, “It has been brought to his attention that [Lewandowski] is a problem, and the agency is being mismanaged because of it.”
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This isn’t the first time Noem, a steadfast Republican, has faced public scrutiny. Rumors about her relationship with Lewandowski surfaced in 2021. At that time, Trump’s DHS secretary was still the governor of South Dakota, and Lewandowski worked as her unofficial strategist. She eventually dismissed him following sexual misconduct allegations. “Corey was always a volunteer, never paid a dime (campaign or official),” her representative stated in September of that year, according to Politico. “He will not be advising the Governor in regard to the campaign or official office.” However, this move might have been more about appearances, as the Daily Mail noted that Lewandowski accompanied Noem to an event the following day.
Should the speculation prove true and Lewandowski’s tenure as an unofficial DHS advisor ends, he may not find himself idle for long. As reported by Politico, the controversial strategist has expressed interest in a gubernatorial run in New Hampshire. “Governor is the only job in politics I would ever consider giving up what I am currently doing for,” he told the outlet in October 2025, though he remained noncommittal about entering the race. Addressing rumors about his role with the Department of Homeland Security, Lewandowski posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I thought it only fitting today to share the words of the famous Mark Twain… ‘The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.’ Lots of Fake News out there… don’t believe the MSM.”
Even if Lewandowski is ousted, it’s likely he won’t stray far from political circles. According to sources cited by the Daily Mail, during a previous scandal, “When Las Vegas happened, she fired him without really firing him.” They added, “He never left.” Noem reportedly reinstated him as an advisor a month later. Despite not holding an official title, either with Noem or the president, he has been a key figure in Noem’s political endeavors. However, with mounting criticism, his continued presence in the role Noem appointed him to is uncertain.
Corey Lewandowski’s time with the Trump administration may be coming to an end
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If insider sources are to be believed, and Corey Lewandowski’s days as an unofficial DHS advisor are numbered, he’ll still have something to fill his time. According to Politico, the controversial political strategist has plans to run for governor of New Hampshire. “Governor is the only job in politics I would ever consider giving up what I am currently doing for,” he confirmed while speaking to the outlet in October 2025. But Lewandowski still didn’t give away whether he had plans to throw his hat in the race. Kristi Noem’s rumored lover, did, however, address the rumors revolving around his status with the Department of Homeland Security. In a message posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Lewandowski wrote: “I thought it only fitting today to share the words of the famous Mark Twain… ‘The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.’ Lots of Fake News out there… don’t believe the MSM.”
Regardless, even if he does get fired, it’s entirely possible that Donald Trump’s former campaign manager won’t go far anyway. As sources dished to the Daily Mail, of his previous scandal, “When Las Vegas happened, she fired him without really firing him.” According to them, “He never left.” Noem also formally restored his position as an advisor roughly a month later. Naturally, the former governor proudly took Lewandowski along on her journey to the White House, even though he’s still not an official employee, either of her personally or the president. However, the staunch Republican has been placed at the seat of power thanks to Noem appointing him as an advisor and special government employee. But he may not be able to hold onto his role for much longer, given all the swirling negativity.
