“The president stands by Tom Homan 100%,” Leavitt said during a press briefing. A person familiar with the matter told CNN that Homan accepted a cash payment in a sting operation. The September 2024 payment, which was inside a bag from the fast-casual chain Cava, occurred as part of an investigation that was not initially targeting Homan, The Times reported. But his acceptance of the money prompted a probe into the close ally of President Donald Trump for potential bribery and other crimes. Leavitt on Monday defended that decision, going as far as to dispute that Homan had taken the $50,000 in the first place.