Trump’s Ex-Campaign Manager Said to Aid Lockheed in F-35 Dispute
- Corey Lewandowski said to advise defense contractor on talks
- President has sought cost reductions for the fighter jet
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Lockheed Martin Corp. turned to Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and his lobbying firm to help them navigate a dispute with the new president over the cost of its F-35 fighter plane, according to four people familiar with the matter.
Trump criticized the company for “out-of-control” costs for the stealth fighter in a series of tweets in December, startling top executives at the firm. The company’s shares fell, and an initial meeting on Dec. 21 between Trump and Lockheed’s chief executive officer, Marillyn Hewson, to discuss the matter did not go well, the people said.