‘People are pleading’: Aspiring members of the Trump administration compete for White House positions
Trump has consistently drawn non-political admirers to his Mar-a-Lago resort.
TroibNews 
There's the official Donald Trump transition, overseen by advisers, and then there's an alternative realm of MAGA supporters eager to secure a place within it.
A group of Palm Beach Instagram influencers and other devoted MAGA followers are publicly campaigning for positions in Trump’s administration as the president-elect's key advisors and notable donors gather to strategize who will fill roles in the upcoming White House.
Among those seeking positions are a former candidate for a North Carolina education post, a public relations expert who previously labeled herself as the “QAnon spokesperson,” and an internet personality who claims to have left Fox News due to resisting internal pressure to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. She expressed that she would consider a White House job if it could be based in Palm Beach. These individuals are taking advantage of a website initiated by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to crowdsource names for approximately 4,000 open positions in Trump's administration.
“I’m a hair away from the White House. I do think I'm going to get it,” declared Melissa Rein Lively, who is actively campaigning on social media to become the next White House press secretary. “My sphere of influence goes far beyond people who are paper pushers on the Trump campaign. I work with billionaires. My clients are — I can’t even name who I work with. They own half of Palm Beach.”
Lively, a communications professional based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a background in fashion, mentioned that she has moved into The Breakers luxury resort in Palm Beach while pursuing the position. “I’m telling you right now, I’m not leaving here without that press secretary gig,” she stated, clarifying that she is open to “any senior role in the press office, but I think press secretary is best fit.”
Consistently appearing on conservative online shows to promote her ambition for the role of press secretary, Lively maintains a steady flow of posts on her Instagram account about her campaign, asserting that her “haters are the best PR people I have.” She has also shared numerous recent photos of herself in and around Mar-a-Lago, posing with figures like Roger Stone and Kennedy.
“This is exactly what happened when I went viral the last three times,” Lively reflected.
One such viral moment occurred in 2020 when she livestreamed herself dismantling a Target COVID mask display and later told police she was the “QAnon spokesperson” in contact with then-President Trump — an incident she later attributed to mental health issues but described to PMG as a “PR stunt” for publicity.
Trump has consistently attracted non-political followers to his Mar-a-Lago resort and other venues. During his first presidency, the Trump Hotel was a popular gathering place for top administration officials and those looking to socialize with them. Although the hotel sold in 2022 following Trump’s reelection loss and departure from office, the spirit of such gatherings persists.
As he prepares to return to the White House, MAGA influencers now regard Trump’s administration as the ultimate attraction, although this doesn't guarantee they will secure positions.
“President Trump is flanked by a team of competent advisers who will cut through this gaggle of Gucci-clad grifters like a knife through butter,” remarked a Republican strategist close to the Trump campaign, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. “Every administration is beset by up-jumped wannabe advisers, who hope to ride the coattails of power to the top. This iteration’s only distinguishing factor is the sheer amount of botched Botox on display.”
“Holding a position in this administration will require more than fifty Instagram stories of you dining on tuna tartare at Mar-a-Lago,” this source added in an apparent jab at Lively, who has been posting pictures of her meals at the Palm Beach resort.
Lively is among those who have taken Kennedy’s crowdsourcing nominations for administration roles seriously. The online forum he established — with Trump's endorsement, according to his site — has gathered votes for MAGA favorites like Tucker Carlson and Tulsi Gabbard, along with some apparent troll nominations, including former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Democratic Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
In a similar effort, Michele Morrow, who ran unsuccessfully this year for the North Carolina superintendent of public instruction, is promoting her candidacy for a position in Trump’s “Education Administration,” based on her name being filled out on Kennedy’s crowdsourcing form.
“I have been nominated on a Trump Team transition website. Now people can go and vote for me at the link below. It is not too late to cast your vote for me,” Morrow encouraged this week on X.
Her account later promoted her candidacy in the third person, saying, “Let’s help get Michele to Washington where she can fight to save our children in North Carolina and beyond!”
Morrow has garnered attention for her controversial statements, which have included suggestions that various Democrats like President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama should be executed, as reported by CNN.
Breanna Morello, another internet personality known for declaring on her bios that she departed Fox News due to vaccine mandates, has taken a different approach. She shared a video on social media stating that she had to “respectfully decline” nominations for White House press secretary because she didn't want to leave her dogs or Florida. However, she mentioned she would consider the role if the White House podium were relocated to Mar-a-Lago.
For some, the social media-centric nomination process might serve merely as an exercise in self-promotion. Others seem to sincerely believe they have a chance.
“If anything, I’m diagnosed with a 250 IQ,” Lively asserted. “Nobody was smart enough to pull this off except for me.”
Regardless, the Trump campaign is inundated with “hire me” requests, and some conservative influencers are actively encouraging their followers to inundate the transition team and Trump’s inner circle with resumes.
“People are begging at this point,” said one Trump campaign insider familiar with the situation. “These maniacs are actually filming videos saying how honored they are. It is nuts.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
A group of Palm Beach Instagram influencers and other devoted MAGA followers are publicly campaigning for positions in Trump’s administration as the president-elect's key advisors and notable donors gather to strategize who will fill roles in the upcoming White House.
Among those seeking positions are a former candidate for a North Carolina education post, a public relations expert who previously labeled herself as the “QAnon spokesperson,” and an internet personality who claims to have left Fox News due to resisting internal pressure to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. She expressed that she would consider a White House job if it could be based in Palm Beach. These individuals are taking advantage of a website initiated by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to crowdsource names for approximately 4,000 open positions in Trump's administration.
“I’m a hair away from the White House. I do think I'm going to get it,” declared Melissa Rein Lively, who is actively campaigning on social media to become the next White House press secretary. “My sphere of influence goes far beyond people who are paper pushers on the Trump campaign. I work with billionaires. My clients are — I can’t even name who I work with. They own half of Palm Beach.”
Lively, a communications professional based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a background in fashion, mentioned that she has moved into The Breakers luxury resort in Palm Beach while pursuing the position. “I’m telling you right now, I’m not leaving here without that press secretary gig,” she stated, clarifying that she is open to “any senior role in the press office, but I think press secretary is best fit.”
Consistently appearing on conservative online shows to promote her ambition for the role of press secretary, Lively maintains a steady flow of posts on her Instagram account about her campaign, asserting that her “haters are the best PR people I have.” She has also shared numerous recent photos of herself in and around Mar-a-Lago, posing with figures like Roger Stone and Kennedy.
“This is exactly what happened when I went viral the last three times,” Lively reflected.
One such viral moment occurred in 2020 when she livestreamed herself dismantling a Target COVID mask display and later told police she was the “QAnon spokesperson” in contact with then-President Trump — an incident she later attributed to mental health issues but described to PMG as a “PR stunt” for publicity.
Trump has consistently attracted non-political followers to his Mar-a-Lago resort and other venues. During his first presidency, the Trump Hotel was a popular gathering place for top administration officials and those looking to socialize with them. Although the hotel sold in 2022 following Trump’s reelection loss and departure from office, the spirit of such gatherings persists.
As he prepares to return to the White House, MAGA influencers now regard Trump’s administration as the ultimate attraction, although this doesn't guarantee they will secure positions.
“President Trump is flanked by a team of competent advisers who will cut through this gaggle of Gucci-clad grifters like a knife through butter,” remarked a Republican strategist close to the Trump campaign, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. “Every administration is beset by up-jumped wannabe advisers, who hope to ride the coattails of power to the top. This iteration’s only distinguishing factor is the sheer amount of botched Botox on display.”
“Holding a position in this administration will require more than fifty Instagram stories of you dining on tuna tartare at Mar-a-Lago,” this source added in an apparent jab at Lively, who has been posting pictures of her meals at the Palm Beach resort.
Lively is among those who have taken Kennedy’s crowdsourcing nominations for administration roles seriously. The online forum he established — with Trump's endorsement, according to his site — has gathered votes for MAGA favorites like Tucker Carlson and Tulsi Gabbard, along with some apparent troll nominations, including former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Democratic Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
In a similar effort, Michele Morrow, who ran unsuccessfully this year for the North Carolina superintendent of public instruction, is promoting her candidacy for a position in Trump’s “Education Administration,” based on her name being filled out on Kennedy’s crowdsourcing form.
“I have been nominated on a Trump Team transition website. Now people can go and vote for me at the link below. It is not too late to cast your vote for me,” Morrow encouraged this week on X.
Her account later promoted her candidacy in the third person, saying, “Let’s help get Michele to Washington where she can fight to save our children in North Carolina and beyond!”
Morrow has garnered attention for her controversial statements, which have included suggestions that various Democrats like President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama should be executed, as reported by CNN.
Breanna Morello, another internet personality known for declaring on her bios that she departed Fox News due to vaccine mandates, has taken a different approach. She shared a video on social media stating that she had to “respectfully decline” nominations for White House press secretary because she didn't want to leave her dogs or Florida. However, she mentioned she would consider the role if the White House podium were relocated to Mar-a-Lago.
For some, the social media-centric nomination process might serve merely as an exercise in self-promotion. Others seem to sincerely believe they have a chance.
“If anything, I’m diagnosed with a 250 IQ,” Lively asserted. “Nobody was smart enough to pull this off except for me.”
Regardless, the Trump campaign is inundated with “hire me” requests, and some conservative influencers are actively encouraging their followers to inundate the transition team and Trump’s inner circle with resumes.
“People are begging at this point,” said one Trump campaign insider familiar with the situation. “These maniacs are actually filming videos saying how honored they are. It is nuts.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
