Trump White House Aide Admits Cocaine Relapse as Fired Reality Star Seeks Second Chance

Lynn Patton Shares Her Cocaine Addiction Story and the Intervention by Eric and Lara Trump That Shaped Her Belief in a Second Chance for Joe Giudice

Teresa Giudice believes her ex-husband belongs in the United States

A senior White House official with a longtime relationship with "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice has weighed in on whether her ex-husband Joe Giudice deserves a second chance, while stressing that any presidential pardon decision rests with President Donald Trump alone.

Lane Patton, deputy assistant to the president for coalition policy and engagement, explained on Instagram why Teresa Giudice and her daughter, Gia Giudice, were invited to the White House for Columbus Day and Italian-American heritage celebrations.

Patton's comments about Joe, who was deported to Italy after serving time for fraud-related crimes, also referred to the family's efforts to get the president pardoned.

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Patton emphasized that he had no authority over presidential pardons, but offered a personal message about redemption and second chances.

Patton began her post: "For those of @teresagiudice and her daughter, @_giagiudice, in honor of Columbus Day and Italian-American heritage at the White House at the invitation of the President and First Lady. I have known Teresa and her family, including @joe.giudice, for nearly two decades."

Lane Patton, pictured here with President Donald Trump, has longstanding ties to the Giudice family. (My point of view with Lara Trump / script)

“I've attended family gatherings at their former home in New Jersey where Joe taught me how to roll meatballs and Teresa's beloved father once showed me how to make his famous homemade wine. I am not responsible for forgiveness. "I don't decide who gets them."

He added: "This is the President's sole decision based on the recommendations of the White House pardon of Tsar, @alicemariefree and the White House Counsel."

Teresa and Gia Giudice pose for a mirror selfie with Lane Patton during the "Real Housewives" stars' visit to the White House. (Lynn Patton/Instagram)

Patton then shared her experience with addiction and the second chance she said the Trump family gave her.

Patton said he relapsed into cocaine addiction in 2013 while working for the Trump Organization, and credits Eric Trump and Lara Trump with an intervention he says saved his life.

He said his experience shaped his belief in second chances.

“In 2013, while working for the Trump Organization, I relapsed into cocaine addiction. "@erictrump and his girlfriend, @laraleatrump, gave me an emotional intervention that saved my life," Patton wrote on Instagram. (Lynn Patton/Instagram)

"To date, I've been off drugs for 13 years. They could have fired me. But instead I was told I was worth saving. Even when I didn't believe it myself. Instead of being fired, they gave me more responsibility. Worked harder. Stayed in the office longer. Arrived earlier. More importantly, I gained their trust and friendship in turn, which turned into more confidence and promotion—including a personal request from their father to join the "He in D.C. rebuilt my determination to succeed and help others do the same."

Patton also mentioned his Christian faith and the importance of a father's presence in his children's lives.

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“Having said that, my faith in God leads me to believe that a father's place is in the home. Statistics confirm the same. More importantly, so is the Bible. Charlie Kirk often stated that a father's biblical role for his child is to protect them physically and spiritually. Quality time is everything. And no, it's never too late to be what God intended every father to be."

"Do I believe Joe deserves a second chance? Unfortunately, it's not my place to decide. But what I do know is that one of his beautiful daughters needs him now more than ever. And even God supports that."

Joe was deported to Italy in 2019 after serving 41 months in federal prison for financial crimes. He lives in the Bahamas, while his four daughters are in the United States.

Gia has publicly supported her father's return to the United States. Joe sought a presidential pardon in June 2025, and Jia said in August 2026 that the family had sent a humanitarian aid package as part of their efforts to bring him home.

A presidential nod does not automatically guarantee Joe's return to the United States. According to the Department of Justice, a pardon can eliminate certain grounds for deportation, but its immigration consequences depend on the circumstances of the case.

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Members of the Giudice family commented on Patton's post, with Joe writing, "[sic] you are the best ❤️❤️❤️❤️."

"Thank you Lin♥️🙏🏼," Gia wrote, while her sister Melania commented, "Thank you so much ❤️."

"We go way back ❤️," Teresa wrote, adding, "I love you ❤️."

However, Patton's comments received mixed reactions from Instagram users.

One Instagram user wrote: "What a beautiful post! That man has had his time! Let him go home to his beautiful girls!! Where he belongs!!!"

Teresa and ex-husband Joe Giudice pleaded guilty to cheating and each served time in prison. (Mike Coppola)

Another wrote: "He's a criminal who could have legalized citizenship years ago. Sorry but that doesn't make his right to be racist and bigoted above the law."

Patton's Instagram post included photos showing her ties to the Giudice family and the Trump administration. One image shows Patton posing for a mirror selfie in what appears to be the White House. Another showed Teresa and Gia sitting on an ornate blue and gold sofa inside a formal White House room.

The post also included older photos of Patton with members of the Giudice family, including Joe, and the Trump family, including Lara.

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