Trump official tried to turn her government job into a reality TV show

Lynne Patton, the longtime Trump family party planner turned high-ranking official in Trump’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, asked for permission to star in a reality show about black Republicans, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

Patton had flown largely under the radar until Wednesday, when GOP Rep. Mark Meadows used her as a literal prop during Michael Cohen’s explosive testimony to argue that Trump simply cannot be racist because he employed a black woman. (Patton is black.)

But Patton’s decision to stand behind Meadows and let him present her as evidence that Trump isn’t a racist sparked reporters to look into her record — which helped uncover this gem of a story.

The details of Patton’s attempt to profit off her role in the Trump administration by starring in a reality show are wild.

According to the Washington Post’s report:

• Patton asked for a two-month unpaid leave of absence to star in the series.
• She inquired about whether she could still call herself a member of the Trump administration if she was on leave from her job.
• She asked if she could be filmed having dinner with the Trump family, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, and other Trump administration officials such as Kellyanne Conway.
• And she inquired about whether it was possible for her to go to Trump campaign rallies, and who could legally cover her travel costs.

Not surprisingly, the Post reported, HUD denied Patton’s request to star in a reality show — which was pitched by the producers of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” and “Shahs of Sunset” — on ethical grounds.

But she wanted to do the reality show so badly that she then asked whether she could temporarily quit her job in HUD and be hired back two months later after filming wrapped.

HUD still said no.

It’s not surprising Patton would seek the limelight in a reality show.

Patton caused a scene earlier this month during a publicity stunt in which she moved into a handful of public housing projects in New York to learn about the conditions residents endured in the facilities.

On a day when she had New York City media trailing her to document her stay in the housing projects, Patton got stuck in an elevator and had to be rescued by New York City firefighters.

Patton clearly cares more about publicity than public service.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.