Kristi Noem is at the center of new speculation after reports surfaced about the status of her rumored relationship with political strategist Corey Lewandowski.
Several unnamed sources have claimed that Lewandowski ended the relationship shortly after Noem was removed from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security earlier this month. The claims have circulated in online reports but have not been confirmed by either Noem or Lewandowski.
One source alleged that the connection between the two was closely tied to influence in Washington.
“The relationship was always about power,” the source said, according to Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice. “When Kristi had the job and the access, Corey was right there. Now that she doesn’t, he’s gone.”
Another source offered a similar perspective, saying, “This was never a romance story. It was a power story.”
Noem’s departure from the cabinet role was announced by President Donald Trump on March 6 through a statement on Truth Social. In the post, Trump said Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma would take over as Secretary of Homeland Security beginning March 31.
Trump also announced that Noem would take on a new role connected to a security initiative called the Shield of the Americas.
Noem later responded on X, thanking the president for the appointment. “I look forward to working closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation,” she wrote.
Neither Noem nor Lewandowski has publicly addressed the breakup rumors.
