- Joined
- Apr 18, 2013
- Messages
- 94,171
- Reaction score
- 82,449
- Location
- Barsoom
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Independent
Watchdog: Foreign regimes, others spend big at Trump properties to ‘curry favor’
If I were cynical, I just might suspect "pay to play". /s
Related: Foreign groups stayed at Trump hotels to please him: report
by JULIA AINSLEY and RICH GARDELLA
NBC News
JAN 16 2018
President Trump meets with Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
WASHINGTON — Four foreign governments, 16 special interest groups and 35 Republican congressional campaign committees spent money at Trump properties in 2017, according to data compiled by the government watchdog group Public Citizen. A lawyer for President-elect Donald Trump outlined a plan during the presidential transition that was meant to resolve concerns about conflicts of interest between his presidency and his businesses. But in a report called "Presidency for Sale," Public Citizen found that Trump properties in Washington, Florida and elsewhere seem to have benefited from Trump's election as groups with something to gain from U.S. policy have paid to stay or dine there more than 60 times.
The biggest spender was a key Middle East ally, Saudi Arabia. A public relations firm spent $270,000 on behalf of the Saudi government at the Trump International Hotel in D.C. on an undisclosed date, the report said, citing public documents and a USA Today article. Representatives of the government of Malaysia, the American Turkish Council and the Kuwait Embassy also spent money at Trump properties. Other non-political organizations detailed in the report included GEO Group, a for-profit prison company that has benefited from Trump administration policies, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
If I were cynical, I just might suspect "pay to play". /s
Related: Foreign groups stayed at Trump hotels to please him: report
