I have a friend who absolutely believes that Donald Trump’s run for president is a live reality teevee show.

I thought … nah, he’s spending money instead of making money.  He makes money on reality teevee.

But now I am starting to wonder …

Every week until Election Day 2016, Showtime will air a half-hour “real-time documentary” about what’s happening on the campaign trail.

The series, called “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” comes from Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, the hosts of a daily political talk show on Bloomberg TV, and Mark McKinnon, a famed campaign strategist.

Oh my gosh, it’s now a reality show.  For real.  You gotta wonder if Donald Trump owns stock in Showtime.

Production is already underway: McKinnon was spotted with a camera crew at a Marco Rubio rally in Las Vegas on Monday.

My friend is acting all smug this morning.  “See?” he keeps saying.

But there’s more.  If you watch the series House of Cards about President Frank Underwood, murderer, philanderer, life destroyer, and political genius, life might be ready to imitate art.  This was also announced today.

When a handful of wannabe presidents square off at Tuesday night’s Republican debate, one faux president will make a “special announcement.”

A cryptic message from the official Twitter account of the “House of Cards” set the stage. “BREAKING NEWS: President Underwood will be making a special announcement during the #GOPDebate,” the tweet said.

So which Republican presidential candidate is really Frank Underwood. My bet is Ted Cruz.

Oh hell, my friend is right.  This whole damn thing is reality teevee.

Smug, my friend is acting smug.

Thanks to Bryan, who used to be my friend.