Donald Trump stated that his businesses received payments from foreign governments because he was “offering services” to them.
Business or Service?
Speaking at a Fox News town hall on Jan 10, Trump responded to a House Oversight Committee report by Democrats. Released on January 4, the report claimed Trump’s enterprises earned a minimum of $7.8 million from foreign entities during his presidency.
$7.8 Million for “Services”
“That’s a small amount of money. You know, it sounds like a lot of money. That’s small,” Trump remarked at the town hall.
He clarified that these payments were in exchange for accommodations at his various clubs and hotels. “I was doing services for them,” he said. “People were staying in these massive hotels, these beautiful hotels. I don’t get $8 million for doing nothing.”
A Historical Comparison
Expanding on his point, Trump gave the example of a former U.S. president who managed private businesses while in office. “You know, George Washington was a very rich man, people don’t know that,” he said.
“He had a business desk, and he had a country desk, right next to each other. You are allowed to do that, I didn’t do it. I put everything in trust.”
Fact-Checking
This isn’t the first instance of Trump asserting that George Washington managed his private businesses in office; he made a similar statement in 2019. However, Politifact’s investigation at that time revealed “conflicting interpretations” of Washington’s business dealings during his presidency.
Payments from 20 Countries
The Democratic report highlighted that Trump’s businesses garnered payments from over 20 countries during his presidency. These payments were made to Trump’s hotels in Washington, Las Vegas, and New York by foreign governments and entities controlled by them.
From China to Congo
The report detailed, “They ranged from the People’s Republic of China to Saudi Arabia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Malaysia to Albania to Kosovo,” the report said. “These countries spent — often lavishly — on apartments and hotel stays at Donald Trump’s properties.”
Alleged Constitutional Violation
The report accused Trump of violating the Constitution by accepting these foreign payments without Congressional approval. The authors emphasized, “President Trump never sought or received Congress’s approval to keep these foreign payments, as the Constitution requires.”
Trump’s Mention of “Hunter”
Trump also criticized President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, who pleaded not guilty on Jan 11 to federal tax charges for failing to pay $1.4 million to the IRS. “I don’t get $8m for nothing, like Hunter,” he remarked.
Business Plans in the Second Term
Trump also revealed that he plans to maintain ownership of his business ventures if he secures a second presidential term. Defending his hotels’ earnings from foreign governments during his presidency, “If I have a hotel and somebody comes in from China, that’s a small amount of money,” he said.
This statement was in response to inquiries about whether he would divest from his companies if re-elected.
Legal Woes and Trump’s Enduring Popularity
Last year, Trump faced four separate indictments, totaling 91 criminal charges, including falsification of business records and election interference. Despite these legal challenges, his prospects in the upcoming presidential election remain basically unaffected.
Trump is still leading in the race for the Republican nomination, with recent polls indicating a tight contest against President Joe Biden.
A Connection?
During a critical phase of the presidential race, Trump made a statement to the press following the conclusion of his defense team’s closing arguments at his civil fraud trial in New York.
He noted that his poll numbers were holding up well, even suggesting that the ongoing trial could be a factor in maintaining or boosting his popularity, saying they are high “maybe because of” the trial.
Trump Tops New Hampshire
Trump easily won New Hampshire’s primary contest, solidifying his position as the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee.
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