Corey Lewandowski, once Donald Trump's campaign manager, finds himself thrust back to New Hampshire following the abrupt collapse of his latest ambitions within the Trump campaign. Sources suggest Lewandowski may have overstepped when he returned to the Trump fold this past August as an unpaid senior adviser, feeding whispers about his desire to orchestrate what some insiders describe as a coup.
According to reports from The Guardian, Lewandowski had been hinting at his authority, slyly telling associates he was brought back to "run the campaign.” But the truth was far less glamorous; Trump had merely asked his team to create some opportunities for him to stay engaged. This misconception of power set the stage for Lewandowski's downfall.
His relationship with Trump's senior advisers, such as Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, quickly soured. Lewandowski was reportedly seen as playing games behind the scenes, attempting to micromanage various facets of the campaign, including conducting unauthorized financial audits because of his expressed concerns about LaCivita. One Trump ally summarized it succinctly: "Corey was trying to Kamikaze onto Chris," hinting at the contentious dynamic between the pair.
The underlying truth of the situation was stark; much of the current Trump campaign team had been handpicked by Wiles and LaCivita and had been functioning together for nearly two years. With no real allies at his side, Lewandowski's plans crumbled, and his high ambitions to retake the MAGA throne fell flat.
Now facing a humiliative reality, Lewandowski has been directed to step back from central campaign activities, relegated instead to focusing on his designated role as a surrogate and managing affairs back home. New Hampshire, where he has deep local ties and an involved political background, has become his new battleground.
Interestingly, the state hasn't favored Republicans since 2000, when George W. Bush won it by the narrowest of margins. Trump himself lost the state to Joe Biden by just 0.3 percentage points during the 2020 electoral run. Recent polling suggests Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris has gained confident footing, currently leading in the state as the 2024 election approaches.
Lewandowski's own record within Trump's political ventures has been decidedly mixed. He was previously fired right on the eve of Election Day 2016 after friction with Trump's family and suffered another setback when he was dismissed from a pro-Trump super PAC due to allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a female donor. Despite this string of blunders, Trump continues to harbor some affection for Lewandowski, describing him affectionately as “Trump's comfort blanket.”
It’s been said of Lewandowski, “He’s like a cockroach. He never dies.” This darkly humorous assessment reflects the ironic tenacity he has maintained throughout his politically turbulent career.
Recently, reports surfaced detailing Lewandowski's attendance on Trump’s private jet as they traveled to Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Regardless of his current misfortunes, it seems Lewandowski is still trying to carve out space for himself within the campaign—just perhaps not the prime directive he once envisioned for himself.
Despite the chaos surrounding him, Lewandowski maintains his commitment, stating, “I’m proud to volunteer my time to do everything possible to help Donald J. Trump win this election and Make America Great Again.” Yet, as the October chill settles over New Hampshire and election fervor heats up, it remains to be seen how much influence he will have and whether he can remain relevant within Trump’s recalibrated campaign.
