The race for the White House has gotten much tighter. But that could change very soon.
Because the Trump campaign was hit with a massive shakeup that’s stunned Republicans.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign is ramping up with the addition of several seasoned veterans from his previous presidential runs, including the return of his 2016 campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski.
“As we head into the home stretch of this election, we are continuing to add to our impressive campaign team,” said Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, senior aides who are effectively co-managing Trump’s campaign, in a statement.
Among the new hires are Lewandowski, Taylor Budowich, Alex Pfeiffer, Alex Bruesewitz, and Tim Murtaugh—all of whom have played significant roles in prior Trump campaigns. “…their unmatched experience will help President Trump prosecute the case against Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the most radical ticket in American history,” the statement continued.
Lewandowski Haunted By Past Controversies
Lewandowski, set to serve as a senior adviser, was Trump’s first-ever campaign manager during the 2016 cycle and has remained a close ally despite several controversies.
Notably, in March 2016, Breitbart News reporter Michelle Fields accused Lewandowski of forcefully grabbing her, leading to a charge of battery. By June of that year, he had left the campaign.
Another incident involved Republican donor John Odom, who alleged that Lewandowski became inebriated and inappropriately touched his wife at a charity dinner.
Despite these controversies, Lewandowski managed to re-enter Trump’s inner circle, advising during the Republican National Convention last month.
Trump Relying On Experience To Push Him To Victory
The campaign’s other hires also bring a wealth of experience. Budowich and Pfeiffer both held senior positions at the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc., with Budowich serving as a spokesperson and aide to Trump, and Pfeiffer as communications director.
Murtaugh was Trump’s communications director during the 2020 campaign, while GOP strategist Alex Bruesewitz, who once considered a congressional bid, is also joining the team.
Trump emphasized the strength and enthusiasm of his campaign with these additions. “We’re leading in almost all Polls, in some cases leading by A LOT, despite the fact that the Fake News is pulling out all stops for their Radical Left San Francisco Liberal, Kamala Harris,” he posted on Truth Social.
“The Enthusiasm is GREAT, and the Management Team, headed up by Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, is THE BEST.”
He added, “Many people want to join the Campaign for the final push, some from the first two Campaigns – And we want as many as we can get!”
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee’s rapid response director, Alex Floyd, criticized the move, pointing to Lewandowski’s past controversies. “Donald Trump loves to double down on a losing strategy. Trump is surrounding himself with people who share his values – namely crooks, convicts, and creeps,” Floyd said in a statement. “The company Trump keeps should tell voters everything they need to know – that he is entirely unfit for office.”
Some Democrats have speculated that these staff changes come in response to tightening polls in the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. According to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate of national polling, Harris holds a 1.1 percentage point lead over Trump in a five-way race, though Trump is ahead in the no-tossup Electoral College map.
The new campaign moves were first reported by Politico.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
