In her new tell-all book, out this week, former White House Deputy Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham claims one of her closest friends in the Trump White House was fired in 2018 for being on Grindr, and nobody cared less than Melania Trump. Go figure.
According to Grisham, the unnamed gay White House staffer worked in the ex-FLOTUS’s office.
It was Melania’s chief of staff, Lindsay Reynolds, who informed Grisham that her GBF had been abruptly let go because of an “issue with his security clearance,” despite having worked for the ex-president for “more than three years.”
Grisham writes that he “was walked out of the White House by a woman from Human Resources, followed by an armed Secret Service agent, and not given a second thought.”
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It wasn’t until later that she found out his firing was over a “lively” Grindr profile.
“Whoever determined security clearances had come across his Grindr account and decided that some of the stuff on it would be ‘personally embarrassing’ to Mrs. Trump,” Grisham writes, hinting that it could have been John Kelly himself.
“To this day, I don’t know if the decision went all the way up to General Kelly, although he was the type of guy who liked top-to-bottom control, so it was certainly possible. I do know that one of Kelly’s deputies was well aware of what had happened and supported the decision, something that enraged me on many levels.”
Grisham adds that Melania could have easily stepped in, but “she didn’t.”
“If she had really wanted a staff member back on her team, if she had been truly outraged, she could have done something,” she says. “She didn’t.”
“If the person had truly been removed solely because he was gay and had a lively Grindr account, that was wrong. This was a White House filled with adulterers,” Grisham adds. “I had a DUI, and they let me stay.”
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Max
can’t they find some way to send her back to Slovenia for not contributing anything of value to this country? never mind she’s married to an American professional snake oil salesman and got a status to stay.
Phillip
Too late; she has an ‘anchor baby’ that seals the deal.
Mr. Stadnick
The dullest first lady ever married to the worst president ever. They have made the US even more of a laughing stock.
She was a low rent Elena Ceau?escu.
white-queer-african
No new bad revelations about the POS will surprise the world.
“Bad, Bad, it’s Bad” as Michael Jackson sang.
whateverokok
Well, I guess that’s what happens when you’re on social media. It’s funny how people go all ballistic when someone fires off something offensive on their social media and then rails for them to be fired. However, when a gay person does it, so to speak, it’s high treason and homophobia. NO! it’s the age old adage that you shouldn’t post on social media what might be damaging to your bosses.
Even if you’re on Grindr. Remember kids, the first amendment has been thrown out for political correctness. Wait til people hear what I’ve got coming out on CD. It’s going to piss everyone off. I can’t wait. I’m using my first amendment. And I hold to the belief of the first amendment the same as I do my physical media; you’ll have to pry it from my cold dead hands.
DarkZephyr
So in other words you think that being bigoted and hateful or somehow a**holish on social media is the same as being demonstrably gay on social media. AKA you think being gay is somehow bad. So you have a homophobic CD coming out? You wouldn’t be the first.
Mack
I agree with you. I’m seeing this as not a “Trump/Republican” thing, I’m seeing this as “McCarthy” thing. When gays and “communists” were banned from working in the Federal Government. I know even Jared had a problem getting his clearance, but I assume for other reasons, so it’s someone or something within the Federal Government that still considers being “gay” a violation of National Security.
Cam
@whateverokok
I love how the right wing troll account always tries to come in and change an obvious bigoted firing of an LGBTQ person and deflect onto “Political Correctness”.
Your troll game is sad and weak.
Bosch
Being on a gay dating site is hardly the same as writing “something offensive on their social media”. And YES! honey, this is homophobia. Not even subtle homophobia, but blatant discrimination on basis of sexual orientation. Something which is illegal in first world countries run by adults.
Fahd
I guess even a close advisor to Melania can garner sympathy if he gets fired for who he is, but I’m trying to imagine what kind of person works intimately for several years with the Trumps in furthering their agenda and also has a “lively” Grindr presence. Standards, people!
BuzzBuzzard
I have less than zero sympathy for the Trumps, but someone working in the White House probably shouldn’t have an active profile on Grindr–or Tinder, or anywhere else. If you’re in the public eye, you have to concede some privacy rights. I’ve worked for major domestic and international organizations and maintain a (rarely used) Grindr profile, but I’m not at risk of being blackmailed. Anyone working in politics knows this, and no matter how unfair it might seem….those are the facts of life, whether gay or straight. (Though I’d like to know how “lively” and active his profile was, including whether it included his picture, name, etc.) Is anyone really surprised that Melania Trump doesn’t give a flying crap about anyone but herself?
Mack
I made a comment above. I don’t think this was a “Trump/Republican” thing, I think this is a “McCarthy” thing. Some how it’s still “illegal” for a gay to get Security Clearance.
BigRedEO
Why the F is any gay person working for that evil evil family in the first place????
David
Self loathing like Milos Yiannopoulos who has now said he’s no longer gay because we (the gays) have rejected him as a traitor. Ben Carson, Omarosa, Diamond and Silk the dumbest of the dumb. Do these people think that when the KKK comes for them they’ll be asked if they voted republican? Or will an angel fly around and mark their doors with a red R so that republican death squads don’t lynch them?
GayEGO
I call her Melaria because it reflects who she is better than Melania does!
cubcmh
I don’t get why this is news. Is the inference that it was done because he’s Gay? I know straight people that have lost their security clearance based on naked pics on Tinder. How is this different?
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to revoke security clearances based on what someone has posted on their social media – especially if you’re working for one of the highest profile people in the country.
Discretion is not just expected, it’s necessary so that it can’t be used as leverage, against either the staffer or the politico, and so it doesn’t become a disruption.
I think the real issue is *what* was on the Grindr profile? Dick pics? Yeah, that’s probably actionable.
A simple dating profile? That’s probably excessive.
Cam
Except a security clearance is based on security issues. A dating profile is not a reason to fire someone.
Andy
Melanie made Mamie Eisenhower look like a rockstar! However she spent money like Mary Todd Lincoln!
BigJohnSF
Kelly “was the type of guy who liked top-to-bottom control” – yeah, baby!
Atlantagent52
Dammit, I came here to make the same joke! LOL.
DarkZephyr
I don’t know why anybody gay would be working for those people in the first place.
Mack
Why would any LGBTQ support the Republican Party or Trump, but yet there are many. Hell, my ex (who can’t decide whether he’s gay or straight after 60 years-had 5 gay lovers and 3 wives) supports Trump.
DarkZephyr
“Why would any LGBTQ support the Republican Party or Trump, but yet there are many”.
By asking that question, I was certainly not trying to imply that there are only a tiny few who work for such people or support them. I just don’t get it.
Jim
Donald and Melania are 2 peas in a pod.
The sun and stars orbit around them.
Any questions ?
butchqueen
Grindr? You have to do SOMETHING while working for these cretins!!!
rockland2u
……..says the mail order gold-digger. jeez, of all the things in that administration to be “personally embarrassed” by, THATS over the line? no words, melania isn’t even the best first lady, money can buy, we need a new catalog, but then again, I wouldn’t want her job. eeewwwwww I mean unless he was hooking up IN THE WHITE HOUSE, really? they should have walked her out!! will someone please throw an envelope on the bedside table, so she will leave, its a big planet, and she already knows she isn’t welcome in NYC anymore, as well as most of the country
Tombear
Seriously people, what do you expect from an ex call girl. It’s all about the money.
Lobeskc
Uhhh, if I were caught being on Grindr while at work, I’d be fired as well. Come on, take some personal responsibility.
dinard38
Well, reading the article header, I also thought that he was fired because he got caught looking at Grindr on the job. But after reading the article, I realized that it’s just another click bait heading. He wasn’t caught using Grindr on the job as the heading suggests. He just had an active Grindr account.
I’d be curious to know who was scouting Grindr looking for government employees with security clearances.
Russian Blue
I have several friends in the DMV who work in the intelligence community. They have often commented that those in the upper levels of government, who are active on these dating sites, especially Grindr, pose a liability and are easily compromised in ways that some may not consider.
We should not underestimate what an “enemy” entity is able to accomplish by compromising someone in this position. I would imagine that if you work in the WH, it would be prudent to lay low and practice the highest level of discretion.
Cam
Except they aren’t compromised unless they know they will be fired for being gay. Then, yeah, they can be blackmailed, but if there is no bigotry in the workplace, then no, them being on a dating app isn’t different then them going to a bar and meeting somebody.
Russian Blue
My point was not referencing bigotry in the WH. My point was that when you are employed in the upper levels of government, especially in direct contact with the WH, you must practice discretion–regardless of your sexual preferences. I’m not condoning his firing but it’s not surprising.
Sandym70
If it was because of inappropriate dick pics, Melania was likely jealous cause the big dick she lives with has two legs and a bad combover.
Bosch
Dick pics that he had sent, or received from Jerry Falwell Jr?
charette8596
Cam,
Do you EVER make a comment that doesn’t end with “Your troll game is sad and weak?”
Canadiancub
No he really doesn’t. His life is sad and weak
Bosch
Running to the defense of the trolls? How stupidly suspicious.
Cam
@Canadiancub
LOL!! You can NEVER resist switching screenames to come on and defend your own post. I already have seen the Canadiancub screename attacking out of the closet people and defending bigots, and now with that mistake we see that charette8596 is another screename.
Now your troll game is sadder and weaker.
JRamonMc
In all reality, I think this has less to do with anything other than being a security issue. Don’t get me wrong, the Trump’s we’re just POS but if anyone in the Whitehouse gay or straight is on Grindr it presents a security risk. Certainly if you hold a Whitehouse security clearance, discretion should be at the top of your list. I’d like to know if whomever found his profile lost their job as well since they obviously were cruising.
cuteguy
What self respecting lgbtq person would work for Satan?. When you make a deal with the devil, what else can you expect? Is it wrong to discriminate based of lgbtq, of course it is. But it’s Donald Chump and the GQP.
trojanboy
She’s a guy in drag. Its obvious.
Caddy4J
Sad Hypocritical queens. Your hate towards everyone you disagree with is pathetic. Bitter adults filled with hate that you result in name calling because someone disagrees with you. By the way, @Cam, wanna be know it all is the biggest phony on this site. He is actually the biggest right wing troll in disguise. Hypocrisy is her middle name…
Bosch
Who are you defending here? This article is t about disagreement, this article is about discrimination on basis of sexual orientation. You think that’s a good look for the “Land of the Free”?
Cam
Wow, the right wing troll account switched between FOUR screenames to defend bigots.
Your trolling isn’t just sad, it’s worse…it’s boring and predictable.
DarkZephyr
So that’s all this is? Someone “disagreeing” with us? lol So the next time you get fired, I’m sure you will defend your former employer as merely disagreeing with you about something.
leauxbeaux
She always lQQks so very happy, no?
whateverokok
As usual, all the regulars come out in stupid defense of the idiot working at the White House AND on Grindr (not at the same time or at work) when the real issue here is discretion. NOBODY would want any of that getting back to them or made public.
Places of employment don’t need that kind of blowback. But then no one here can see the forest for the da– trees stuck up their ass. Good to know nothing’s changed in 20 years. Burning Buildings gotta burn. Clutch them pearls. It’s the only thing any of you are good at. Well, mostly anyone. There are some sane ones on here suprisingly.
Cam
As usual the same one right wing troll comes i with 4 different screenames to always attack the LGBTQ person and defend the bigots.
As always, your troll game is sad and weak.
happy50132003
What a bunch of horse shit. These comments would have been the exact opposite if Michelle Obama had done this you all would have been saying that the person should have known what was expected of him. THE HATE YOU GUYS SHOW IS RIDICULOUS……. SAD that the Trumps are out of office but the HATERS can not leave them alone.
RobF
This article is nothing more than a waste of space on Queerty – who gives a crap?
rickywintour
Obviously you give a crap self hating troll. Now go find something to do old washed up queen.