Trump appoints his family's event planner to oversee federal housing programs


The words "must," "have," and "experience" usually appear together in the average job listing, but that's not a deal-breaker for the Trump administration.
On Wednesday, Lynne Patton, the former vice president of the Eric Trump Foundation who started planning events for the Trump family in 2009, was appointed to head the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Region II office, the largest one in the country, which covers New York and New Jersey, the New York Daily News reports. In this role, Patton — who appeared at the Republican National Convention last year and put together a video titled "I'm proof Donald Trump isn't a bigot" — will be in charge of the distribution of billions in taxpayer funds to public housing authorities and tens of thousands of rental vouchers, plus block grants.
The Daily News decided to do some digging around on Patton, and after scouring her LinkedIn profile, found that in addition to having zero housing experience, she embellished the section about her education — Patton said she obtained a juris doctorate degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Connecticut in 2000, although "next to the J.D. notation is written (N/A) without explanation," the Daily News noted. The paper called up the school's registrar, who revealed that Patton attended for two semesters, but did not graduate. Patton also listed Yale University on her page, and HUD officials were unable to explain why, the Daily News reports. Patton, who starts on July 5, did not return the Daily News' phone calls seeking a comment.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Inside the contested birth years of generations
The Explainer Battles over where Gen Z ends and Gens Alpha and Beta begin remain unsettled
By David Faris Published
-
Art review: Jack Whitten: The Messenger
Feature Museum of Modern Art, New York City, through Aug. 2
By The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published