“Worst-Kept Secret In D.C.”: Trump Camp Weighs In On Kristi ‘ICE Barbie’ Noem Affair Claims

Trump officials have addressed claims that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is having an affair.

Noem, who is married, has been dogged with affair rumors over the years, but she and alleged lover Corey Lewandowski, who is also married, have denied the claims.

A new report in the New York Magazine has detailed Noem’s alleged romantic relationship with Lewandowski, with inside sources telling the outlet it is D.C.’s worst-kept secret.

“Everybody knows they’re together. Can I prove it? No, but they’re together,” an administration official told the outlet.

A FEMA official called it the “worst-kept secret in D.C.”

Lewandowski, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, is currently serving as a special government employee for DHS and has been described as Noem’s “handler” and “bulldog.”

“The culture over there is terrible,” an administration official told NY Mag. “People are scared sh**less of Corey.”

Other sources told the publication that Noem and Lewandowski’s alleged personal relationship was obvious.

One pointed to a previous encounter in New York, when a millionaire financier reportedly called a mutual acquaintance after a meeting with the pair to ask if they were dating.

Another alleged incident detailed in the report was in 2019, when Noem allegedly sat on Lewandowski’s lap in front of a group of people after a conservative conference in Florida.

“I remember it being just very romantic,” one person who was present said. “Interactions that you would expect of a romantic couple, not of a political consultant and the client.”

“It was very clear that they were together,” they added.

In response to a request for comment, Lewandowski told NY Mag: “Instead of reviewing the newest wine bar in Chelsea the New York Magazine has degraded itself.”

Noem did not provide a statement, but DHS told the outlet: “This NY Mag hit piece reads like a preteen rage-scrolling, then prompting ChatGPT for a screed on misogyny — complete with zero substance and maximum bullshit.”

The renewed scrutiny of Noem and Lewandowski’s relationship comes amid reports that Lewandowski has purposely been failing to log his hours at DHS.

According to an Axios report, Lewandowski is avoiding clocking in so he can spend more time working for the department.

Administration officials told the outlet that Lewandowski, who acts as Noem’s de facto chief of staff, was tailing other employees into the building to avoid swiping in.

Special government employees (SGEs) can only work for 130 days per year.

White House officials are reportedly watching his hours, with DHS telling Axios that Lewandowski has only worked 69 days since he was hired.

“We're hearing that Corey's doing everything — failing to swipe in, working from home, whatever — to undercount his days. It's fair to say his work is being watched now,” one official said.

Recent media reports also alleged that Trump had vetoed Noem choosing Lewandowski as her chief of staff, instead suggesting he be a SGE, due to concerns over their relationship.

It was a concern also cited as Trump’s reasoning behind why he did not choose Noem as a running mate, with sources claiming Trump slyly refers to Noem as Lewandowski’s girlfriend.

However, journalist Alex Isenstadt in his book Revenge said that Noem’s hopes of being vice president were dashed over her second memoir, No Going Back, in which she told of how she shot a disobedient puppy.

“That’s not good at all,” Trump told his son Don Jr., according to Revenge. “Even you wouldn’t kill a dog, and you kill everything.”

Lewandowski worked as Trump’s campaign manager in 2016 and remained a key informal adviser to the president after he was dismissed from the role.

He later became involved with America First Action, a super PAC supporting Trump’s agenda, but was removed from his role there in 2021 after a Republican donor accused him of sexual misconduct.

In 2022, he reached a deal with Nevada prosecutors requiring counseling, community service, and a fine to resolve the allegations.

Now at Noem’s side, Lewandowski has been accused of slowing the agency’s operations by taking control over the review of DHS contracts and grants valued above $100,000.

According to administration officials, Lewandowski’s interference has delayed minor grant approval by weeks.

“Everything has to go through Corey,” a lobbyist who has done business with DHS told NY Mag.

“It’s all based on ‘You’re my buddy, or you’re not my buddy. You hired my friend, or you didn’t hire my friend.’ That place just runs that way.”

One former administration official added: “It’s the Corey show over there.”

The NY Mag also reported that Trump had been briefed regarding concerns of Noem and Lewandowski’s leadership at DHS.

The pair was said to have been hauled in for a meeting with the president in early September at the White House.

“He was particularly mad at Corey” and about how “he can’t get along with anybody,” an official told the outlet.