Joy Villa, an outspoken Scientologist who most notably revealed her MAGA dress after the elections during last year’s Grammy Awards, discussed her possible run for Congress in 2018 as well as her past political affiliations, her recent allegations against former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, and her association with Scientology.
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Villa has not yet filed with the Federal Elections Comittee (FEC) but has set up an exploratory committee with which she says is garnering donations. She comes from a mixed background and is looking into a Congressional run in Florida.
In her political past, Villa was enthusiastic about both the Obama presidency in 2012, appearing in a campaign video for him, and a possible Bernie presidency.
Just did a cameo in an #Obama campaign music video for Upheaval Films out of Miami! #Timessquare
— Joy Villa (@Joy_Villa) July 12, 2012
She now says that she disavows those previous political affinities and after the election she has become a strong supporter of the president.
Whether or not the singer/songwriter will receive support for her possible Congressional bid from the Trump administration has yet to be determined. The outlook appears dim as there has been tension between herself and the White House after publicly accusing former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski of sexual misconduct. The president did tweet about his enthusiasm for her to join the world of politics, but that came months before Villa’s allegations against Lewandowski became public.
Joy also discussed her relationship as an outspoken member of the Church of Scientology, for which she created a video saying that she is now “clear.” She cited the First Amendment in protecting freedom of religion, but there are many skeptics of Scientology who do not recognize it as a religion and have become outspoken against it, most prominently former Scientology member and actress Leah Remini. Most Americans do not believe Scientology is a legitimate religion, and ex-members have accused Scientology of forcing them into having abortions, financial crimes, business-like practices due the amount of money one must pay to become an elite member, and manipulation on their day-to-day lifestyle, including who they can be friends with and what family they can have relationships with.
Scientology also has an adverse relationship with the U.S. government. Mary Sue Hubbard, wife of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, was sentenced to four years in prison in 1983 due to government espionage.
Lynne Patton, a Trump family friend and official in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, voiced that the president supports rescinding tax-exemption status of Scientology.
Villa has set up an exploratory committee for the state of Florida but has not yet announced an official Congressional bid.