Overview
- The president has repeatedly asked aides if Corey Lewandowski personally benefited from the DHS advertising contracts, according to multiple reports.
- Lewandowski, serving as an unpaid special government employee and de facto chief of staff to Kristi Noem, denies receiving any money, saying he took "zero, not one penny."
- Senators Richard Blumenthal and Peter Welch have requested records from Safe America Media, The Strategy Group, and People Who Think regarding their agreements and any dealings with Lewandowski.
- Reported awards include a $143 million no-bid contract to Safe America Media, which subcontracted work to The Strategy Group, and a $77 million contract to People Who Think.
- Noem was removed as DHS secretary and reassigned after hearings spotlighted the ad buys; a separate report says Lewandowski claimed Trump would pardon him, which he denies.