A once powerful adviser to former President Donald Trump's reelection campaign has been back-benched over complaints of delusions of grandeur, according to a new report.
Trump's 2016 campaign chief Corey Lewandowski has lost his power struggle against the 2024 machine just two months after his return made national headlines, sources told the Guardian.
“He blew himself up,” a Trump official told the Guardian. “The entire staff has been working together for two years. You think you’re going to come in at the end and throw your weight around?”
Sources told the Guardian Lewandowski has been told "to focus on being a surrogate" in a campaign it was once suggested he would lead.
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"The reassignment may sting for Lewandowski, who technically returned to Trump’s orbit in a leadership role in the summer but quickly made enemies over his suggestion he would mount a power play and questions about whether the campaign mismanaged funds," sources told the Guardian.
Trump himself has "soured" on Lewandowski, now relegated to trying to win New Hampshire, according to the report.
"Unless the campaign hits more snags that give Lewandowski an opening to play a larger role," the Guardian reported, "the wariness towards him from the wider leadership team loyal to Trump’s campaign chiefs Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, could mean he has diminished influence for the remainder of the cycle."
One longtime Trump ally appeared disinclined to either praise Lewandowski or dismiss him entirely.
“He’s Trump’s comfort blanket,” the ally told the Guardian. “And he’s like a cockroach. He never dies.”