Donald Trump’s shocking rise from a businessman and TV personality to a national politician and the President of the United States stunned the world. The person at the heart of this seemingly impossible task was a man named Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski led Trump’s campaign as campaign manager from its conception in January 2015, to June 2016, when he was relieved of his duties.

On Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, Saint Anselm College welcomed Lewandowski to speak at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. The NHIOP’s Executive Director, Neil Levesque, sat down with Lewandowski to discuss his involvement in the 2016 election, and the President’s style and substance in fulfilling campaign promises and policy pledges.

The attendance at the venue was at full capacity as students and guests all waited to hear from Lewandowski. A variety of topics was discussed ranging from Lewandowski’s start in politics to the 2016 campaign and Trump’s character.

Their conversation began by talking about Lewandowski’s college days. He explained that going to an Ivy League school or getting great grades does not determine the success one may have. Lewandowski, a 1995 graduate of University of Massachusetts at Lowell, stated that a diligent work ethic and focus is what led him to his achievements.

Levesque asked Lewandowski about how he received the job offer of Trump’s campaign manager. Lewandowski explained that a friend who is well acquainted with Trump asked him to go to New York City to talk to Trump in January of 2015.

Lewandowski said he was not even aware of what the meeting would involve. At the last minute, his friend wasn’t able to go with him to speak to Trump.

According to Lewandowski, first thing Trump said was, “Look at you, you have a good look.” At the meeting Trump asked  Lewandowski if he knew about a few campaign managers that Trump was interested in. He responded that he did to which Trump asked if he was better.  Lewandowski said he was, and Trump responded by saying, “You’re hired.”

“I already had a job, and I didn’t tell my wife,” said Lewandowski. “So I called my wife and I said I think I just took a job in New York.”

Lewandowski was only one of six members part of the initial Trump campaign. He explained that this core group of people bonded over one central task, to make Trump the next president of the United States

There was a time that  Lewandowski believed the campaign was over. It was only a month after Trump publicly announced that he said he didn’t think John McCain was a war hero. After the speech, Corey met privately with Trump. “Sir you just said John McCain wasn’t a war hero… I think we need to apologize,” said Lewandowski. “He said, ‘No, John McCain hasn’t done enough for our veterans. There are people dying in Phoenix, Arizona waiting in lines. Veterans deserve better and John McCain hasn’t done enough… I will make sure the veterans have what they want’”

On Election Night,  Lewandowski said he knew Trump had won the presidency by 10 p.m. “I knew we won when I saw the numbers. I knew every county he needed to win… I said this guy is going to be the president of the United States.”

A little past the halfway mark in the event Levesque opened the discussion for those in attendance to ask questions. Two students asked for advice on how to get ahead in the world of politics and campaigns.  Lewandowski told them to get involved now. He recommended working for free for local officials and mayors and that could jump-start them to a successful career.

The Crier asked Corey about the state of the Republican party and its unity under the Trump administration. “Well the good news is he is now the head of the Republican party… but the challenge that many face, particularly in states where you have Republicans holding office that came to their respective office before the president was elected, they’re not sure if they should embrace the president, or run from him, or try to walk a fine line… We have to work together because at some point the governors are going to need help from the Federal Government and you want the best relationship possible with your constituents,” said Lewandowski.

Senior political science and communications major Lincoln Vamos spoke about his impression of the event. “It was interesting to hear campaign stories from Lewandowski that never made it to the news. However, I thought it was predictable in what Lewandowski said. Even though he’s no longer associated with the administration, he still speaks for Trump agenda,” said Vamos.