Trump Rehires Controversial Adviser Lewandowski, Sparking Concerns

Donald Trump's decision to bring Corey Lewandowski back into his 2024 presidential campaign has reignited controversy and raised concerns about accountability within the former president's inner circle. Lewandowski, 50, who served as Trump's campaign manager in 2016, has been appointed as a senior campaign adviser despite a history of allegations involving inappropriate behavior.

The move comes approximately three years after Trashelle Odom, a Republican donor, accused Lewandowski of sexual harassment at a Las Vegas charity dinner in September 2021. Following the incident, Odom received apologetic phone calls from both Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., with promises that Lewandowski would face consequences. At the time, a Trump spokesman announced that Lewandowski would no longer be associated with "Trump World."

However, Trump's recent decision to rehire Lewandowski has left Odom feeling betrayed. "They just undid everything," she stated, expressing concern about Lewandowski's access to other women and the power the campaign is granting him.

Lewandowski's return to Trump's campaign highlights the former president's tendency to maintain loyalty to controversial figures. This approach has been a consistent feature of Trump's political career, often prioritizing personal allegiance over traditional accountability measures.

Throughout his career, Lewandowski has leveraged his connection to Trump for financial and political gain. Public records reveal how he used his Trump association to secure business contracts and consulting work with various political candidates. Notably, Lewandowski worked for FirstEnergy, an Ohio utility company, in 2017 and 2018, helping to arrange access to Trump for executives who were later charged with felonies in a bribery scandal.

"I'm a friend of the president is what I am."

Lewandowski's history includes multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior. In addition to Odom's accusation, Joy Villa, a singer and Trump supporter, reported Lewandowski to police for unwanted physical contact at a holiday party in November 2017. Lewandowski has denied wrongdoing in these instances.

Despite these controversies, Lewandowski has remained active in political circles. He has been involved in various Political Action Committees (PACs), including Ultra MAGA PAC, which has faced scrutiny for its spending practices. The PAC has reportedly spent only about 2% of its donations directly supporting Trump-friendly candidates.

As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, Trump's decision to bring Lewandowski back into the fold reflects his strategy to recapture the energy of his 2016 campaign. However, this move also underscores the ongoing debate about accountability and ethical standards within political campaigns.

Odom, who is no longer involved in politics, expressed her disappointment with the situation. "I think he faced repercussions for a short period of time, but in the end it didn't matter," she said, hoping that no other woman would have to go through a similar experience.

As the campaign progresses, the impact of Lewandowski's return on Trump's bid for the White House remains to be seen, with supporters and critics alike closely watching the developments.