'Corey's a character': Trump explains why he re-hired aide accused of sexual misconduct
A recent interview with Donald Trump published in New York Magazine Monday detailed why the ex-president hired back controversial 2016 campaign adviser, Corey Lewandowski.
Journalist Olivia Nuzzi wrote that the campaign had, relatively speaking, been quiet compared to Trump's previous runs for president. But commentators claimed Trump's decision last month to bring back Lewandowski, who headed previous runs, could shake that up.
"The campaign itself, headquartered in West Palm Beach, hummed along quietly compared to the 2016 and 2020 organizations, which had not hummed so much as blared like car horns in the night," she described.
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"By this standard, Trump 2024 is a monastery (with the exception of that reported recent fistfight at Arlington National Cemetery)."
While senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita are running the Trump campaign "on paper," Nuzzi wrote, Trump brought back his combative ex-aide — despite saying he didn't intend to replace anybody.
“I just like him. Corey’s a character,” Trump told Nuzzi. “But I’m very happy with everybody.”
Lewandowski had left the Trump team after being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, including a campaign donor's wife who alleged he made unwanted sexual advances and threw a drink at her in 2021.
Lewandowski faced charges, but avoided a guilty plea by completing community service and counseling.
Last month, Trump took to Truth Social to dispel claims Lewandowski's hire was to save a failing campaign.
"The Enthusiasm is GREAT, and the Management Team, headed up by Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, is THE BEST," wrote Trump. "Many people want to join the Campaign for the final push, some from the first two Campaigns - And we want as many as we can get!"
Among Lewandowski's first acts after his return was an interview on MSNBC where he refused to disavow the idea that COVID was a biological weapon targeting "to target 'both Caucasians and Black people."