Corey Lewandowski is reportedly seeking to regain influence within former President Donald Trump’s inner circle following recent political shifts. Lewandowski, a longtime political consultant and former Trump campaign manager, lost his special government employee role with insider access after Trump dismissed Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security secretary in March.
Despite this setback, Lewandowski appears to be maneuvering to rebuild his standing with Trump while maintaining a personal relationship with Noem. Several Republican operatives familiar with the situation indicated that Lewandowski is actively looking for opportunities to realign himself with the former president’s priorities.
A recent example of his efforts came in late June, when Lewandowski criticized Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican senator from South Dakota, during an interview with conservative podcaster John Fredericks. Lewandowski described Thune — who is not up for re-election until 2028 — as vulnerable to a formidable primary challenge from within his party. Observers interpreted Lewandowski’s comments as a signal of support for potential challengers aligned with Trump’s agenda.
Multiple Republicans note that Trump’s favor remains a crucial factor for Lewandowski’s political and business success. Lewandowski heads Lewandowski Strategic Advisors, a firm specializing in government affairs and public policy consulting. Sources emphasized that maintaining a positive relationship with Trump is vital for the firm’s operations and for Lewandowski’s influence within Republican circles.
When asked about his position, Lewandowski highlighted the impact of Trump’s endorsements on primary elections, noting the recent defeats of incumbent Senators Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and John Cornyn in Texas after Trump backed challengers. “President Trump carried the state of South Dakota by nearly 30 points,” Lewandowski said. “The people of that state overwhelmingly support his agenda for America. No politician is immune to the will of the voters.”
He also used the opportunity to advocate for Trump’s legislative priorities, specifically urging support for the SAVE America Act, which aims to promote election integrity and conservative policy goals. “I would encourage every incumbent senator to achieve this objective,” Lewandowski stated.
Although Lewandowski did not explicitly name a challenger to Thune, his description during the podcast — coupled with Noem’s strong electoral record as the first female governor of South Dakota and a three-term U.S. Representative — led some analysts to speculate that Noem could be a prospective contender.
As Lewandowski seeks to reassert himself in the shifting landscape of Republican politics, his efforts underscore the continuing influence of Trump-aligned figures within the party, particularly in key states such as South Dakota.