Lynne Patton, Deputy Assistant to the President for Coalition Policy and Engagement, is under scrutiny following the emergence of a video reportedly showing her engaging with a sex toy aboard a Republican donor's yacht in February 2025. The incident has intensified questions surrounding her alleged living arrangement with Ryan Coyne, a Washington lobbyist who has since registered as a foreign agent. The video and the details of her living situation have raised concerns among some White House officials regarding potential ethical breaches and foreign influence.
"They of course would like to cut you in on the deal if it closes." — Text Message sent on behalf of Ryan Coyne and Caroline Wren
The footage, obtained by the Daily Mail, reportedly captures the incident on February 6, 2025, following a black-tie charity gala at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, which benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the video, Patton, 52, is seen barefoot and wearing a gold sequined dress as a small vibrator is tossed and kicked around the yacht’s cabin. Laughter is audible in the background, and at one point, Patton is heard repeatedly instructing the person recording not to capture faces. The individual filming was reportedly Ryan Coyne.
Beyond the yacht video, Coyne's relationship with Patton has drawn significant attention due to his foreign lobbying activities and their alleged shared residence. Months after the video was recorded, in May 2025, Coyne was identified in Justice Department filings as working on behalf of foreign interests. Specifically, Miami-based Tactic COC LLC registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to represent the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and a private Vietnamese company. The objective of this work was to influence the U.S. government to "avoid or reduce" a proposed 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports. Coyne was listed as a consultant providing advice on U.S.-Vietnam trade relations and arranging meetings.
Subsequently, Coyne filed his own FARA registration statement, identifying himself as a partner in CRB Global LLC and listing the Republic of Somaliland as a foreign principal. He acknowledged that his services included political activity aimed at influencing the U.S. government. The address listed for Coyne’s residence and CRB Global was the same Virginia penthouse where the Daily Mail reports Patton has been living. Public records indicate Coyne purchased the apartment for $3.2 million in 2020, with an estimated rental value exceeding $14,000 per month. Multiple sources cited by the Daily Mail allege that Patton resides there without paying rent, though no public record definitively establishes the penthouse as her official residence.
The alleged living arrangement has reportedly caused concern among some White House officials due to Coyne’s foreign lobbying work. The Daily Mail also reported that Coyne has accompanied Patton to official events, including gatherings at the White House and Mar-a-Lago. A photograph from December, cited by the outlet, showed the two together at a White House Christmas party, which occurred after Coyne had registered with the Justice Department for his foreign work.
Further adding to the scrutiny, text messages reviewed by the Daily Mail purportedly show Patton assisting Coyne and others in gaining access to Mar-a-Lago. One message, sent on behalf of Coyne and Republican fundraiser Caroline Wren, sought access to the club for a meeting with an unidentified South American diplomat. The message explicitly stated, "They of course would like to cut you in on the deal if it closes." The exact nature of this alleged deal and whether it was completed remain unclear.
Patton has a long-standing association with the Trump family, having previously served as an event planner and senior aide to Eric Trump and his foundation before joining President Trump’s first administration. During that time, she served as an official in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In 2021, she admitted to violating the Hatch Act by using relationships developed through her government position to produce a video for the 2020 Republican National Convention. Patton paid a $1,000 civil penalty and agreed to a 48-month ban from federal employment. Despite this, she later returned to government service and currently works in the White House Office of Public Liaison.
Senior White House officials are subject to financial disclosure and security-vetting requirements. The White House has not responded to questions from the Daily Mail regarding whether Patton disclosed the reported living arrangement or any items of value allegedly received from Coyne. However, a White House official disputed suggestions that Patton was improperly benefiting from the arrangement, stating that she maintains “all required ethical standards” and is financially responsible for her residences. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended Patton, describing her as a “longtime, valued aide” who plays an important role in advancing President Trump’s agenda. A spokesman for Coyne also defended his client's actions, asserting that the lobbyist “fully complies with all federal disclosure laws.”
