South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been engaged in a years-long affair with Donald Trump's former campaign manager and adviser Corey Lewandowski, according to multiple sources. The affair has been an open secret in Republican political circles for years, with one witness recalling seeing them making out at a hotel bar during the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. Another source claimed to have personally witnessed Noem "sitting on his [Lewandowski's] lap" and "playing grab-ass" at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in December 2020.
"He's 100% banging her," said one source familiar with the relationship. No images of the two together have surfaced, but witnesses have described their behavior as "absurdly blatant and public." Noem, a 51-year-old mother of three, is married to her husband Bryon, who is said to have moved out of the governor's mansion in Pierre roughly two years ago.
Despite the affair, Noem recently endorsed Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, raising speculation that he may choose her as his running mate. Both Trump and political pundits have been considering potential running mates for months, with Noem among the names mentioned.
Noem herself was once considered a potential 2024 contender but opted not to enter the race, citing Trump's candidacy as a barrier for other Republicans. "Why run if you can't win?" she asked in a recent interview. However, she has since thrown her support behind Trump, calling him "the fighter that our country needs."
Noem has an image of a devoted wife and mom
The news of Noem's affair with Lewandowski has come as a surprise to some, given her conservative values and public persona as a devoted wife and mother. However, others have pointed out that politicians are often held to different standards when it comes to their personal lives.
"It's not terribly surprising that politicians have affairs," said one political analyst. "What's surprising is that they're able to keep them secret for so long in this day and age of social media and constant scrutiny."
The affair has also raised questions about Noem's judgment and ability to lead, particularly given her endorsement of Trump, who has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Some have called for her resignation, while others have defended her right to privacy and personal choices.
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