CNN contributor and former Donald Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski is helping the Republican presidential nominee prepare for the upcoming debates, according to a new report. It’s the latest devastating evidence that the network’s ethical nightmare has become untenable.

Conservative media website Heat Street is reporting that according to sources close to the campaign, Lewandowski is part of the team of conservative media stalwarts involved with “preparing Donald Trump for the debates.” Will CNN allow its political commentator to discuss debates for which he has prepared one of the candidates?

The conservative news site further states, “If things get more dire for the struggling Presidential candidate, Corey may be at the top of the list of official re-hires,” meaning there may be even more issues with his CNN employment in the future.

Lewandowski is still on the Trump campaign payroll, and CNN anchors frequently introduce him by noting that he continues to receive severance from his former employer. He reportedly speaks to Trump “almost every day” and has even traveled with the campaign.

This is neither normal nor acceptable. Trump has effectively offloaded Lewandowski’s salary onto CNN, while gaining an on-air advocate willing to defend literally anything he says, no matter how absurd. That’s why media ethicists and journalists have been condemning CNN's hire for weeks.​

It’s long past time for the network that claims to be the most trusted name in news to cut ties with Lewandowski.