Donald Trump fired former DHS Secretary Christine Om for spending over $220 million in taxpayer money on an ad campaign.
Posted by The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Checked
- Sources
- 4 support
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 60%
The Briefing with Jen PsakiOct 23, 2026
Sources show Trump fired Kristi Noem (the post's 'Christine Om' is a misspelling) in March 2026 and that the $220 million ad campaign was a central reason, cited by an administration official alongside other leadership failures and her public blame of Trump over the ads.
What was said
… Of course, she denies the claim. Of course she does. But it was certainly enough for Trump to push her out. Trump also fired former DHS Secretary Christine Om for, among other things, spending over $220 million in taxpayer money to play dress up. Remember that? In a blatantly self-serving ad campaign. Then today, we got this headline from The Wall Street Journal about Noam's very close top aide: "Justice Department reviewing allegations against Corey Lewandowski." …
The Briefing with Jen Psaki · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. An AP report says the ad campaign, along with other leadership failures and mismanagement of staff, led to Noem's firing, and that the $220 million campaign was the focus of blistering congressional criticism before the firing.[1]
Supports. PolitiFact and MS NOW report that Noem's firing came days after senators grilled her on the $220 million ad spending, and that Trump was reportedly angered by her attempt to blame him for the ads.[2][3]
Supports. Independent reporting says critics bashed the $220 million ad campaign and that Trump fired Noem shortly after Congressional hearings over it.[4]
Context. Trump reportedly told Reuters he did not approve the ads ahead of time, and sources describe other grounds for the firing, including the Minnesota immigration operation and staff mismanagement, so the ad campaign was a major factor but not shown to be the only reason.[1][3][4]
Sources
4 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 2 not rated
- 1A $220 million ad blitz and a public split with Trump mark the end of Kristi Noem’s DHS tenureapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports, context
- 2Looking back at DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's falsehoodspolitifact.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 3Of all of Kristi Noem's scandals, this appears to be the one that ...ms.now · not rated · cited for: supports, context
- 4Trump-fired Kristi Noem has now lost her 'special' role just ...independent.co.uk · not rated · cited for: supports, context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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