President’s businesses profited off GOP groups
Report says money went to hotels, golf courses, airplanes and more
WASHINGTON— U.S. President Donald Trump’s American businesses have received at least $15.1 million (U.S.) in revenue from political groups and federal agencies since 2015, according to a report to be released Monday. The money went to Trump’s airplanes, hotels, golf courses and even a bottled-water company during the presidential campaign and the first 15 months of his presidency, according to a compilation of records of the spending by Public Citizen obtained by McClatchy.
But it was Trump’s campaign itself that spent the most by far — about 90 per cent, or $13.4 million.
It also includes more than $717,000 from the Republican National Committee; nearly $595,000 from Trump Victory, the joint fundraising committee set up by the RNC and Trump’s campaign; and $9,000 from the National Republican Senate Committee.
Two political action committees, American First Action — dedicated to electing federal candidates who support Trump’s agenda — spent $33,000, and Great America Committee, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence’s group, spent $24,000.
Campaigns and committees supporting Republican House members Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania, Jodey Arrington of Texas, Tom MacArthur of New Jersey and Dana Rohrabacher of California also spent money on Trump businesses.
In comparison, in 2013 and 2014, political spending at his properties was less than $20,000.
The total is likely to be much more. There is no single place to find out how much the administration is spending at Trump businesses, though federal agencies have started to disclose some information in response to public record requests. Public Citizen analyzed Federal Election Commission data and federal agency records obtained from Freedom of Information Act requests by Public Citizen and Property of the People, a group of legal experts and activists.
Before he was sworn into office, Trump eschewed calls to fully separate from his business interests. Instead, he put his holdings in a trust designed to hold assets for his “exclusive benefit,” which he can receive at any time without the public’s knowledge. He also retains the authority to revoke the trust. Trump launched his campaign at one of his buildings, Trump Tower in New York, where his campaign leased space. Campaign events offered Trump-branded water and wine. The campaign and Secret Service paid TAG Air Inc. for use of Trump’s Boeing 757 airplane, customized with goldplated bathroom faucets and seatbelts.
Federal agencies that spent money include the National Security Council, Secret Service, Defense Department, General Services Administration and U.S. embassies. Recipients include Trump Tower Commercial LLC, Trump International Hotel in Washington, Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Fla., Trump National Doral Miami, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, Trump Restaurants LLC, the Trump Corp., Trump Payroll Corp. and Trump Plaza LLC.
Rep. Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California, is expected to introduce a bill that would prohibit government spending at properties owned by officeholders if the cash provides profit to officeholders.