Luxury Jet Travel Amid Persistent Affair Rumors Surrounds Homeland Security Leadership
As swirling rumors about a romantic relationship between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her adviser Corey Lewandowski intensify, a new investigative report reveals the pair have been traveling together across the country in a specially configured luxury jet. The aircraft, which features a private cabin in the rear section, has been officially designated for conducting what the department calls "high-profile deportations," according to internal documents reviewed by journalists.
Washington's "Worst-Kept Secret"
The speculation about Noem and Lewandowski's relationship first gained traction in tabloid publications before receiving more serious attention in a September exposé published by New York magazine. Multiple sources within government circles have described the situation as an open secret throughout Washington power corridors.
"Everybody knows they're together. Can I prove it? No, but they're together," a former Department of Homeland Security official told the magazine, echoing sentiments expressed by others familiar with the department's internal dynamics.
Another official from the Federal Emergency Management Agency characterized the situation as "the worst-kept secret in D.C." Both Noem, 54, and Lewandowski, 52, are married with children and have consistently denied any romantic involvement despite years of persistent rumors.
Official Denials and Departmental Focus
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin addressed the allegations directly in an email statement to HuffPost on Friday, dismissing the reports as unfounded gossip that distracts from the agency's critical mission.
"This Department doesn't waste time with salacious, baseless gossip—we have actual work to do keeping the American homeland and its citizens safe," McLaughlin stated emphatically. "Something the last Administration failed to do for four years."
Presidential Concerns and Internal Tensions
According to a Wall Street Journal report examining what it described as "constant chaos" within Noem's department, President Donald Trump and his senior advisers have expressed longstanding discomfort with the perceived relationship between the secretary and her adviser. The Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper revealed that despite Lewandowski's interest in serving as Noem's chief of staff, Trump personally vetoed the appointment specifically because of the persistent affair rumors.
Multiple administration officials confirmed to the Journal that Trump continues to reference the alleged affair during discussions about departmental leadership and operations, indicating the matter remains a point of concern at the highest levels of the administration.
The "Big, Beautiful Jet" and Its Controversial Use
Recent travel arrangements have drawn particular scrutiny, with sources familiar with the matter revealing that Noem and Lewandowski have been utilizing a luxury Boeing 737 MAX jet equipped with a private rear cabin for their cross-country journeys. Official documentation indicates this aircraft—which staff members have jokingly nicknamed Noem's "big, beautiful jet"—is formally allocated for conducting high-profile deportation operations.
A separate DHS spokesperson defended the aircraft selection to the Journal, asserting that Noem's plane represents a more cost-effective alternative to military aircraft while serving dual purposes for both deportation missions and Cabinet-level official travel.
History of Aviation Controversies
This latest aviation-related controversy follows previous turbulent episodes involving aircraft procurement during Trump's second term. Last year, Noem reportedly authorized the purchase of ten Spirit Airlines planes before discovering the airline didn't actually own the aircraft, which additionally lacked functional engines.
In October, despite an ongoing government shutdown at the time, the Trump administration proceeded with the acquisition of two Gulfstream G700 jets at a combined cost of $172 million specifically for use by Noem and other senior administration leaders. These successive aviation procurement issues have raised questions about oversight and expenditure priorities within the department responsible for national security.
The combination of persistent personal rumors, luxury travel arrangements using deportation-designated aircraft, and a history of problematic aviation procurement decisions creates a complex portrait of leadership challenges within the Department of Homeland Security during a period of heightened political scrutiny.
