ERIN BURNETT (HOST): Now, the former Trump campaign manager, now our political commentator here at CNN. Corey Lewandowski. Corey, welcome to CNN. A lot of things to ask you about tonight, but first I want to ask some questions about you, questions our viewers will have. You are now a contributor for us here. You and I have done many interviews with you as the campaign manager and now you're a contributor. Did you sign a nondisclosure agreement when you worked for the Trump campaign?

 

COREY LEWANDOWSKI: So when I came on the  -- thanks first and foremost for having me on. It's a pleasure to be with you tonight. When I came on board the Trump campaign, like everybody else, I said what I would do is keep confidential information confidential. And I signed a document to that degree and I don't plan on ever breaking that. My confidentiality agreement is such where, information that I’d be privy to, and private conversations that take place between family members that are not meant for the public audience, are going to be held in the closest and strictest of confidence with me. And I think that's my duty and my obligation not just as someone who signed a document, but more importantly as a person who has respect for the individual he worked for. So I'll -- I will tell you, that I'm not here to release private information of family members or discussions that took place behind the scenes that the public really has no reason to be aware of. 

BURNETT: Right, okay. So private conversations, but also just in terms of whether you're going to be able to say what you really think. The agreement that CNN obtained that Trump employees signed says something a little bit more specific than what you just said, Corey. It said during the term of your service and at all times thereafter, you hereby promise and agree not to demean or disparage publicly the company, Mr. Trump, any Trump company, any family member or any family member company. Did you sign something like that? That said no disparaging? 



LEWANDOWSKI: Let me tell you who I am. And for those who don't know me, I'm a guy who calls balls and strikes. I'm going to tell it like it is. That's how I've had my entire career and most of the time it’s been at my own detriment. People who know me know I'm a very straightforward person. I'll tell you exactly like it is, whether you like it or not. And maybe that's the reason I don't have some of the jobs I should have had or been given some of those opportunities, because I'm a straight forward person. That's not going to change. No matter what I've done or what I've said, if something is wrong, I'm going to tell people it's wrong. If something is right, I'm going to tell people it's right. So there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from telling the truth, in my opinion, regardless of what that is and I think that’s what the people expect. 

BURNETT: Even when it's saying something bad about Donald Trump? Bottom line that the viewers want to know, even when it's saying something bad about Donald Trump? 



LEWANDOWSKI: I'm going to say it like it is. If I agree, if I disagree, I'm going to come out and tell you, this is right, this is wrong, this is my opinion on things. And I think that's what people have a right to have. My opinion on what I believe is right and wrong. Doesn't mean you have to agree with me, but I’m going to tell you what I think, for sure.

Previously:

CNN Reported This Week That New Hire Lewandowski Likely Signed A Non-Disparagement Agreement With Trump

CNN Staff On New Hire Lewandowski: “Inexcusable” And “Unprofessional” Behavior, Repeatedly “Faced Accusations Of Being Overly Aggressive”

Reporters Savage CNN For Hiring Former Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski