US pays Trump empire for his visits

– The US government paid more than $77 000 (R1 million) to President Trump’s Scottish golf resort ahead of his stay there last weekend, according to federal spending records, indicating that Trump’s official visit to Europe likely generated revenue for his business empire.

Spending records seen by Reuters show that the US state department, which typically arranges presidential travel overseas, paid $77 345.35 since April to SLC Turnberry Ltd, the Trump company that owns the resort, for “hotel rooms for VIP visit”.

The payments were first reported by The Scotsman, a Scottish newspaper and website.

Trump stayed at the resort and played golf there last Saturday between a meeting of the Nato military alliance and one withwith Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It was not clear whether all of the payments were made to cover expenses for Trump’s visit.

A state department spokesperson declined to comment about the charges and White House officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Former government ethics officials and watchdog groups say Trump has failed to put safeguards in place to ensure that he does not directly profit from his actions as president.

While other recent presidents have put their assets in a blind trust, Trump has retained ownership of his hotels, golf courses and other businesses. –