Screen Capture / Facebook.com

Donald Trump seems to be moving full steam ahead with plans to create his own alternate-reality news program headed by—who else?—a member of his own family.




Last week, visitors to the president’s Facebook page were treated to a two minute “real news” video starring Lara Trump, wife of Eric, and daughter-in-law of the president.

“I bet you haven’t heard about all the accomplishments the president had this week because there’s so much fake news out there,” Lara exclaimed, before launching into a litany of Trump’s recent actions—many of which had actually been given massive coverage by the mainstream media.

In many ways, though, Lara represents the perfect vessel for Trump’s alternate reality media aspirations. A former Inside Edition producer, she’s well equipped to package the sort of breezy, thoughtless infotainment the president can then pass off as substantive news. And, as a member of the First Family, she belongs to the president’s innermost circle of trust.


In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Friday, Lara framed the Facebook project as part of the campaign to re-elect the president.

“At the President’s reelection campaign, we are emulating his approach and connecting directly with supporters, by posting video messages each week that deliver real news about the great progress President Trump is making to create new jobs, improve the economy, and make our nation and our communities safer for all Americans,” Trump explained.

According to Lara Trump, her Real News segment is intended to be a regularly occurring feature of the president’s Facebook page. So far, her initial posts have been viewed more than 2.2 million times.

While the White House wouldn’t immediately respond to Buzzfeed News’ request to clarify whether Lara is now part of the president’s communications staff, her presence on Trump’s official Facebook page represents just the latest blurring of the line between personal and professional involvement in official administration business by a Trump family member. Daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner officially joined the White House team early in his presidency, while Lara’s husband Eric and brother-in-law Don Jr. have remained vocal advocates for their father’s policies.