In a surprising move, the Trump campaign has reinstated Corey Lewandowski, who managed Trump’s 2016 campaign, as a senior advisor.
Politico reported on Thursday that Lewandowski, who has stayed on as an informal adviser since the 2016 campaign, is rejoining the team to support its senior leadership. According to a source who requested anonymity, Lewandowski will be working alongside several other former Trump aides in similar roles. The campaign described these new additions not as a shakeup but as a strengthening of the leadership team in the critical final months before the election.
Tim Murtaugh, who was communications director for Trump’s 2020 campaign, will also join the team, along with Alex Pfeiffer and Alex Bruesewitz, both former top officials of the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC.
Trump confirmed the news on Truth Social, stating that his team would be expanding for the final 82 days of the campaign, which he described as “the most important in campaign history.”
“I am pleased to announce that Corey Lewandowski, who was very involved in 2016, will be coming on board as a Senior Advisor. Others are joining us as well, and they’ll be announced soon!” Trump wrote.
This development follows reports that Trump was considering firing his current campaign managers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita. However, Trump’s social media post praised Wiles and LaCivita, suggesting they remain in his favor.
“In 2016, we did well and WON. In 2020, we got millions more votes and did even better, but nothing compares to 2024. The enthusiasm is GREAT, and the management team, led by Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, is THE BEST.”
The decision to bring back Lewandowski comes amid criticism from many MAGA supporters who believe the current campaign has deviated from its original principles. Critics argue that the campaign has shifted towards establishment GOP policies, moving away from the “Make America Great Again” ethos that Lewandowski championed in 2016.
In response, Lewandowski emphasized his commitment to Trump’s core values with a social media post featuring the phrase “Let Trump, Be Trump,” a slogan that resonates strongly with far-right conservatives who favored the previous campaign strategies.
Lewandowski’s reappointment may be a strategic move to address these concerns and reinforce the campaign’s alignment with Trump’s foundational message.
Here’s Trump’s full post on Truth Social:
“We’re leading in almost all polls, and in some cases by a lot, despite the Fake News pulling out all stops for their Radical Left San Francisco Liberal, Kamala Harris. In 2016, we did well and won. In 2020, we received millions more votes and performed even better than in 2016. But nothing compares to this year, 2024. The enthusiasm is GREAT, and the management team, headed up by Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, is THE BEST. Many people want to join the campaign for the final push, including some from the first two campaigns—and we welcome as many as we can get!
I am pleased to announce that Corey Lewandowski, who was very involved in 2016, will be coming on board as a Senior Advisor. Others are joining us too, and they’ll be announced soon! These 82 days will be the most important in campaign history, and November 5th will be the most significant day in the history of our country.
We are a nation in decline, but we will soon be a great nation again! MAGA2024”