Oh me, oh my, how the media loves a good scandal – especially of the sexual variety. Now the newshounds are gorging themselves at the expense of Corey Lewandowski, a political strategist and longtime Trump associate. On Wednesday, Sept. 29, Politico published an article reporting that a Trump donor had accused Lewandowski of some pretty revolting behavior. Before you could say, “Me too!” the story spread like wildfire through the leftist media.
The Backstory
Trashelle Odom
Credit: Celebpie
The wife of Idaho construction executive John Odom is alleging Lewandowski got handsy with her at a charity event in Las Vegas last weekend. In addition to the physical assault, Trashelle Odom accused the political strategist of stalking and lewd language. In a statement provided by the family attorney, Odom also claimed Lewandowski “threw a drink at her” and “grew aggressive” to the point where she “feared for her safety.” This statement was made public by Politico and repeated in the New York Times, Salon, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, USA Today, and others – all within 24 hours.
As the hits kept on coming, it didn’t take long for a Trump spokesperson to issue a public statement and bid Lewandowski adieu. “Corey Lewandowski will be going on to other endeavors, and we very much want to thank him for his service. He will no longer be associated with Trump World,” Taylor Budowich announced on Twitter. Later in the day, in yet a second article on the same subject, Politico breathlessly piled on: “Corey Lewandowski, one of Donald Trump’s longest-serving, highest-profile advisers, has been exiled from the former president’s orbit following allegations, reported earlier Wednesday by POLITICO, that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a major Trump donor.”
At the time of this writing, the accused – and now former – Trump advisor has not issued a public statement on the matter. However, attorney David Chesnoff, who represents Lewandowski, said, “Accusations and rumors appear to be morphing by the minute and we will not dignify them with a further response.”
The Truth?
Corey Lewandowski
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The three-hundred-pound gorilla in the room is whether Corey Lewandowski is falsely accused or did, in fact, assault Mrs. Odom. Politico says four people who were first-hand witnesses at the event corroborated the story. These individuals were unnamed in the article. For its part, the New York Times cited one anonymous person who agreed with Odom’s account of the events. At this point, no complaint has been filed with the Las Vegas police.
Lewandowski is a longtime political operative with extensive experience. Until yesterday, he ran the Trump super PAC. As head of the organization, he was in the business of dealing with donors like Trashelle and John Odom on a frequent basis. Even an inexperienced professional in this position knows you must put your best foot forward with these folks, and that does not include making a play for the donor’s wife. Such as it is, this would seem odd behavior for a 48-year-old, married man who is in the business of dealing with donors.
Lewandowski has had two previous run-ins with women, one of the “Me too” variety. In 2017, singer Joy Villa filed a police report saying he slapped her bottom. It’s unclear what came of that complaint. The other involved battery in which a reporter claimed he yanked her arm. Perhaps these previous grievances made him ripe for the picking, or maybe it signals he has a problem – who knows?
This is not to say that he did not behave as his current accuser claims. He certainly could have, but it would be – as the saying goes – stupid, stupid, stupid. However, in these days of bitter partisan politics, it doesn’t take much to ruin someone’s reputation in a heartbeat. Such a rush to judgment by the advocacy media essentially renders one guilty until proven innocent. Even in these days of vilify first and ask questions later courtesy of a Fourth Estate that has become a Fifth Column, Lewandowski, despite accusations, still deserves his day in court.
~ Read more from Leesa K. Donner.
