Apple News Today Why Trump really turned on Kristi Noem
24 snips
Mar 6, 2026 
Parisa Hafezi, Reuters Iran bureau chief, explains why Mostafa Khamenei could emerge as Iran’s next leader. Michelle Hackman, Wall Street Journal immigration reporter, walks through the ads, spending and management controversies that led to Kristi Noem’s DHS ouster. They also touch on succession politics in Iran and the fallout from high-profile U.S. personnel and spending decisions.
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Noem Ousted After Costly Ads And Management Failures
- Kristi Noem's tenure at DHS collapsed under multiple failures from costly ad campaigns to security gaps and personnel controversies.
- Michelle Hackman details a $220M English-language ad, a $70M luxury jet, TSA shoe-screening policy issues, and Corey Lewandowski's fraught role.
$220M Ad Sparked Credibility And Oversight Concerns
- The $220 million DHS ad campaign raised questions about procurement and whether President Trump actually approved it.
- Senator John Kennedy pressed Noem at a hearing and Trump later told Reuters he didn't know about the ads.
Relationship With Lewandowski Intensified Internal Friction
- Reports said Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski were in a relationship while he acted as her enforcer at DHS.
- Noem called those reports "tabloid garbage" even as scrutiny increased over spending and influence.