Kristi Noem pictured taking Corey Lewandowski on official visit to South America amid claims of tax-payer funded affair

“Kristi Noem held a meeting with His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and Guyanese government officials to reaffirm the enduring U.S.-Guyana partnership,” the embassy wrote on X.

“Their discussions focused on joint efforts to disrupt cartel and transnational criminal activity, strengthen border security, discourage illegal immigration, and promote economic opportunity.”
The initiative brings together leaders of several South American countries to commit to stopping drug cartels.

Guyana was one stop on Noem’s tour, where she also visited the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica and Ecuador, according to Reuters .

Noem and Lewandowski’s relationship has been scrutinized over allegations that the pair, who are both married to other people, are having an affair.

Both have denied the rumors.

“I am shocked we are going down and peddling tabloid garbage today at this committee,” Noem replied.

Photos of Lewandowski by Noem’s side on her trip have sparked backlash online.

Meghan McCain , a conservative media personality and the daughter of the late Republican Senator John McCain, wrote on X, “Kristi Noem - you brought Corey Lewendowski [sic] with you to Guyana after just being fired from your last job after being asked in front of congress if you're in an unprofessional relationship with him....

Billy Binion, a reporter for the libertarian Reason magazine, wrote , “Why are my taxpayer dollars funding Corey Lewandowski's travel to Guyana?

How is that remotely acceptable?”
“Nice to see Corey Lewandowski continuing his work with the ambassador to the shield of the Americas,” CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski wrote .

Olivia Gazis, intelligence and national security reporter for CBS News, wrote that U.S.

and state officials told the outlet Lewandowski is not employed by the State Department and there is no job lined up for him there in the future.

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