Tag: Trump scamming American taxpayers

Ballrooms, candles and luxury cottages: During Trump’s term, millions of government and GOP dollars have flowed to his properties

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‘The 45th President’: One in a series looking back at the Trump presidency

President Trump welcomed the Japanese prime minister at Mar-a-Lago, in front of a towering arrangement of roses. The two could have met in Washington, but Trump said his private club was a more comfortable alternative.

“It is, indeed, the Southern White House,” Trump said, greeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in front of the press in April 2018.

For Trump, there was another, hidden benefit. Money.

At Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s company would get paid to host his summit.

In the next two days, as Trump and Abe talked about trade and North Korea, Trump’s Palm Beach, Fla., club billed the U.S. government $13,700 for guest rooms, $16,500 for food and wine and $6,000 for the roses and other floral arrangements. Continue reading.

Taxpayers are on the hook for Eric Trump’s outing to president’s European golf clubs — and it could cost them a fortune

AlterNet logoPresident Donald Trump is not the only golf enthusiast in his family; his son, Eric Trump, is one as well. And according to Mother Jones’ Ross Choma, a European golf outing featuring the president’s son could come at a high cost to U.S. taxpayers.

Choma reports that members of President Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey are being offered a chance to visit Trump Organization golf clubs this summer in Ireland or Scotland — and in those countries, Eric Trump will be leading the golf activities. The president has golf clubs in Doonbeg, Ireland and Turnberry, Scotland, and the chance to participate will cost $6500 (which doesn’t include airfare).

“Of course,” Choma reports, “an independent tour doesn’t have Eric Trump along for the ride. Whether or not he is worth the premium for club members, it will cost American taxpayers a significant amount.” Continue reading.

Government Won’t Reveal Spending At Trump Properties

This month, The Washington Post detailed lots of previously undisclosed government spending at the president’s properties. For example, the Secret Service has paid $650 per night to stay at Mar-a-Lago, despite Eric Trump’s statement that his father’s company would provide rooms “for free — meaning, like, cost for housekeeping.”

The Post’s figures — adding up to $471,000 — are far from complete because government agencies have resisted disclosing their spending at Trump properties.

“He’s paying our money to himself,” the Post’s David Fahrenthold said in the latest episode of “Trump, Inc.” “There must be so much more we haven’t seen.”  Continue reading.