Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faces serious questions. A major donor’s phone call seemed to fast-track over $11 million in federal funds to rebuild a pier in Naples, Florida. The pier sits just a few miles from a home linked to her longtime adviser and rumored partner, Corey Lewandowski, a ProPublica report said.
Donor Call Sparked Quick FEMA Action
Hurricane Ian badly damaged the historic Naples Pier in 2022, and government red tape tied up repairs for months. Local officials struggled to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under Noem’s department, to release recovery funds. But when a wealthy donor with close ties to Noem intervened, the process suddenly moved at an unusual speed.
The controversy has put a spotlight on Noem’s actions in Florida. It also raises questions about her management of FEMA. Critics say she has caused delays in disaster response across the country.
Naples officials had been trying for months to secure money to rebuild the popular pier, which draws over a million visitors each year. FEMA funding, however, had stalled. Frustrated city leaders believed one final step was needed: personal approval from Secretary Noem.
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann decided to turn to Sinan Gursoy, a local cardiologist and donor who had contributed at least $25,000 to Noem’s 2022 South Dakota gubernatorial campaign. She texted Gursoy directly, asking for help in reaching the Secretary.
Gursoy, in turn, contacted Noem. Within a day, he told Heitmann that she should soon expect news from Noem’s “FEMA fixer.”
Within weeks, the stalled project saw a sudden burst of movement. On August 27, Naples officials noted a “flurry of activity” from FEMA. Just two days later, Noem flew to Naples, toured the damaged pier, and dined with Gursoy at a French restaurant. She stayed at a luxury resort through the weekend.
DHS has not confirmed whether taxpayers covered her trip. Gursoy declined to answer questions from reporters, only saying “get lost” before hanging up.
FEMA Delays Under Noem Raise Questions
This fast-track in Naples has fueled criticism because FEMA projects in other disaster-hit states have seen long delays under Noem’s leadership.
In Texas, deadly summer floods left communities waiting days for FEMA funding because Noem had not signed off on emergency spending. Thousands of emergency calls went unanswered because she had failed to renew call center contracts.
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In North Carolina, Senator Ted Budd said he could not get FEMA approval for rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Helene. Local leaders in multiple states have complained about bottlenecks tied to Noem’s unusual policy: she personally approves all FEMA purchases over $100,000.
Experts say Noem now has enormous discretion over releasing disaster funds. Critics warn that this power can encourage favoritism, especially toward political donors and wealthy allies.
Rumors and Denials Surround Noem and Lewandowski
The Naples pier funding has drawn extra scrutiny because of its proximity to a home connected to Corey Lewandowski, Noem’s de facto chief of staff and longtime political ally.
Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for Donald Trump, has been linked to Noem in rumors of an ongoing affair. One Trump administration official even called their relationship “the worst-kept secret in Washington.” Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied any romantic involvement.
Still, the appearance of the Naples pier project—pushed forward after a donor’s call and located near Lewandowski’s Florida home—has raised concerns of possible favoritism.
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In a statement to the Daily Beast, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the ProPublica report as “silly.” She argued that the pier repair was a $2 million project, not $11 million, and said the effort had been in the works for more than two years. She called criticism of Noem’s visit “bizarre,” noting that more than a million people once visited the pier each year.
Yet the questions remain.Noem’s unusual delays at FEMA, combined with the sudden rush of money to Naples, have made many people question how federal disaster aid is being managed.
