President Trump’s former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski reportedly engaged in a heated debate Wednesday night with Florida Senate President Bill Galvano (R) and state Sen. Jeff Brandes (R).
The dispute began shortly after 10 p.m., when a mutual acquaintance brought Lewandowski, an opinion contributor for The Hill, over to Galvano in the lobby of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., according to Politico.
{mosads}Lewandowski praised Trump for campaigning heavily in Florida, saying it helped Rep. Ron DeSantis (R) take the governorship and Gov. Rick Scott (R) win the U.S. Senate race.
“Donald Trump saved Florida, from the top to the bottom of the ticket,” Lewandowski said, two sources who witnessed the event told Politico.
Galvano agreed, but added that the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (FRSCC) he led, as well as the GOP candidates and committees, spent a record $44 million, driving up GOP turnout, another witness told Politico.
“There were lots of efforts put forward,” Galvano said, according to one witness. “Maybe it helped that FRSCC and our candidates knocked on 725,000 doors?”
“No! I know Florida!” Lewandowski said, raising his voice, according to witnesses. “It was Trump!”
“Then explain to me why we maintained Senate seats in districts Trump lost by double digits,” Galvano responded, witnesses told Politico.
Brandes then reportedly stood up and wagged his finger at Lewandowski.
One witness told Politico that Galvano clenched his fist at his side. Two others said he told his wife, “Hold my scarf.”
Lewandowski then reportedly stormed off, later telling Politico that reports of the dispute were “not true.”
Galvano confirmed the incident to Politico.
“We had a spirited conversation,” he said. “Let’s just leave it at that.”
“No one was coming to blows,” he added.
Neither Lewandowski nor Galvano immediately responded to a request for comment from The Hill.