Trump family drops access offered for charity donations

[webfact]

Trump family drops access offered for charity donations

By JULIE BYKOWICZ

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump's children may see his move to the White House as a way to raise money for their favorite causes.

 

Two recent fundraising pitches featuring the incoming first family were meant to benefit charities, but they also raised questions among ethics experts that the Trumps might be inappropriately selling access.

 

Last week, Eric Trump tried auctioning a coffee date with his sister Ivanka to raise money for a children's hospital. Now, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. are part of a venture that initially offered a private reception with their father during inauguration weekend in exchange for $1 million donations that would go to conservation charities. Some of those contributors could later go hunting or fishing with one or both of the sons, the invitation promised.

 

These events are dissolving as quickly as they become public, suggesting the family is learning on the fly what's acceptable.

 

Trump aides say the Trump family has been focused on resolving the perception of conflicts when it comes to Trump's business; how to handle their charitable endeavors has been a secondary concern. But in light of recent events, the Trump team is looking more quickly for solutions, said a Trump transition official, speaking on condition of anonymity to share internal discussions.

 

Eric Trump canceled the coffee with Ivanka after The New York Times reported that some of the bidders were doing so to gain insight about the Trump administration.

 

Hope Hicks, a Trump spokeswoman, said the hunting and fishing events reflected "initial concepts that have not been approved or pursued by the Trump family." She added that the sons "are not involved in any capacity. Additionally, the president-elect is not aware of the event or the details pertaining to it."

 

The two previous presidents, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, expressly forbade immediate family members from such fundraising activities to avoid the appearance of selling access.

 

"We kept it simple. We did not allow the first family to be auctioned off, which is what is happening here," said Norman Eisen, who served as White House chief ethics counselor as Obama took office in 2009.

 

Richard Painter, who filled a similar role for Bush, said the White House "strongly discouraged" the president, his family and top aides from fundraising for charities, and avoided altogether charity fundraising that came with any access to those people.

 

Both said that while there's nothing explicitly illegal about the charity fundraising, it diverges from the best practices of previous White House administrations.

 

In an invitation that began circulating last week when the entertainment site TMZ posted it, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. were listed as honorary co-chairmen for a group seeking up to $1 million donations for a Jan. 21 inauguration event dubbed "Opening Day."

 

Top donors could enjoy other perks such as a "private reception and photo opportunity for 16 guests with President Donald J. Trump" and "a multi-day hunting and/or fishing excursion for 4 guests with Donald Trump Jr. and/or Eric Trump and team," according to the invitation.

 

A few days before the invitation went out, a new nonprofit called Opening Day Foundation was registered in Texas. Paperwork filed with the state lists the two adult Trump sons and their Texas-based friends Gentry Beach and Tom Hicks Jr. as the nonprofit's directors. The documents were first reported by the Center for Public Integrity.

 

But Eric and Donald Trump Jr. had no idea they were named in the new nonprofit and have asked the Texas secretary of state to amend the filing to delete them, according to the Trump transition official. Mark Brinkerhoff, a spokesman for the event planners, also said Tuesday that the Trump sons should not have been listed as directors of the nonprofit.

 

On Tuesday, the inauguration venture put out a new invitation, which stripped out all references of access to the incoming president and his immediate family, although Eric and Donald Trump Jr. remain listed as honorary co-chairmen.

 

The $1 million donors can attend a private reception "with VIPs and celebrities associated with the event," the invitation now says. And in place of the Eric and Donald Trump Jr. hunting and fishing trip, there's more generic mention of a "multi-day excursion for four guests."

 

The walk-back follows a turnabout on the Ivanka Trump coffee after the Times report last week.

 

"Today, the only people who lost are the children of St. Jude," Eric Trump said after canceling the fundraiser for the children's hospital.

 

Painter and Eisen — the former White House counselors, who have been critical of Trump's business entanglements and failure to publicly address them so far — said part of the problem with these charity fundraisers is that the president-elect has yet to explain which of his family members will be involved in the government and which will stay at the helm of his international business empire.

 

They praised the Trumps for making quick adjustments after seeing bad press about the fundraising but said that doesn't eliminate the need for Trump to develop and follow hard-and-fast rules as previous presidents did.

 

"How many times are they going to have to stub their toe?" Eisen said. "If you continually have to reverse course and improvise, what is the point at which it becomes a sign of recklessness instead of willingness to do good will?"

__

Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey in Des Moines, Iowa, and Jonathan Lemire in Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-12-21

[craigt3365]

Since these donations can be written off your taxes, I'm against it.  Also, it's very political as you get to meet with the president. 

[Silurian]

On 12/21/2016 at 6:50 AM, webfact said:

Painter and Eisen — the former White House counselors, who have been critical of Trump's business entanglements and failure to publicly address them so far — said part of the problem with these charity fundraisers is that the president-elect has yet to explain which of his family members will be involved in the government and which will stay at the helm of his international business empire.

 

Wheels within wheels...the illegitimate POTUS elect continues "reckless" and ignorant behavior. He wants to make up his own rules and not care about how it looks. You wanted a free-wheeling dealing president and you got one. This con-man won't care about impropriety. He will make sure his business empire continues full steam ahead. The POTUS position is just another tool to take advantage of.

[Scott]

Troll posts and reply have been removed.   It would appear that some people would like to have a Christmas holiday.   Keep up with the trolling and your gift will be forthcoming.  

 

This topic is about Trump, access and charity donations.   Stay on topic.  

 

You have been warned.  

[NanLaew]

And in an earlier thread, some members suggested the very existence of these charity fundraisers as 'fake' news.

[jippytum]

Although not correct politicians from other countries do the very same thing but with the money donated not going to charity .For decades  the UK have offered various honours including knighthoods  to some very dubious individuals in  return for political donations .

[KKr]

never mind what I wanted to say about this, 
speechless wraps it up

[Gandtee]

After reading this I want to regurgitate my breakfast

[Chicog]

Clear influence peddling. I'm sure the kids will do anything to exploit their dad's fame to further their own business prospects.

We've already seen the daughter hawking her trashy jewellry collection.

 

 

[elgordo38]

I think all Trump charities should be closely scrutinized. They all see to have one of those trick doors that open up and the money disappears. 

[Morch]

To quote Ivanka, kids just "made the best out of a bad situation". Again. 

[Opl]

I can remember Trump supporters, during the campaign, saying Trump was a better choice because he pretended he needed no money as billionaire, therefore he did not need donators .

Anyway he picked up some of these donators for his Cabinet.   

 

the Trump Foundation has largely relied on donations from others to support its giving. In fact, since 2008, no money flowing into the foundation came from D. Trump himself.

 

https://newrepublic.com/article/137522/trumps-charity-tells-us-lot-business

 

- Trump used $258,000 from his charity to settle legal problems

 

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/20/trump-used-258000-from-his-charity-to-settle-legal-problems/

 

How Donald Trump Exploited Charity for Personal Gain

- http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/how-donald-trump-exploited-charity-for-personal-gain/499535/

 

Edited December 21, 2016 by Opl

[Scott]

An inflammatory post has been removed.  

[NeverSure]

I agree. They have to stop this. The Trumps have long supported St. Jude's Hospital which is an awesome charitable children's hospital. It does wonderful things for free for children with cancer, birth defects and so on. The Trumps do now have to be careful, even of the appearance of things. It goes with the territory.

 

Cheers.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed.  

[selftaopath]

21 hours ago, Silurian said:

 

Wheels within wheels...the illegitimate POTUS elect continues "reckless" and ignorant behavior. He wants to make up his own rules and not care about how it looks. You wanted a free-wheeling dealing president and you got one. This con-man won't care about impropriety. He will make sure his business empire continues full steam ahead. The POTUS position is just another tool to take advantage of.

I could not agree with you more Silurian. Seems like: He's all about HIMSELF. He cares little a/b democracy and seems like his view of the U.S. Constitution is to be eliminated. He has the balls to call other people liars/cheats/corrupt? LOL oh wait and see. Hope he squeezes every last bit of blood from his followers as he squeezed the entire world. I bet he'll have as much money as his bromancer Putin soon.

[mike324]

The guy and his whole family thinks and acts like a businessmen, nothing wrong with that, but just not fit to be POTUS. When Ivanka first appeared on TV after Trumps win, her employees quickly sent out memos to journalist detailing Ivankas $10,000 bracelet which can be bought from her jewelry company. The family has no ethics. I mean they didn't break any laws, but rest assure if this was the Clintons or Obamas, Trump supporters would be crying foul and calling them crooks who are just trying to line their pockets.

[Opl]

no ethics, no values, no morals, .... no problems! 

no conflicts of interests, no doubt, Trump is above law.

[elgordo38]

20 hours ago, Morch said:

To quote Ivanka, kids just "made the best out of a bad situation". Again. 

We should all have it so terrible. 

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

We should all have it so terrible. 

That's a scary avatar! LOL The grinch??? 5555

[elgordo38]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

That's a scary avatar! LOL The grinch??? 5555

Sometimes a change is better than a rest. I think I bought a used car from this guy years ago and it turned out to be a lemon. Also it reminds me merchants are lurking all over trying to get me to burn my plastic buying useless junk that I do not need but many other do. Merchants always say that Christmas sales get them over the profit "hump" Personally I think they want to financially hump me. But then what do I know. 

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, Opl said:

no ethics, no values, no morals, .... no problems! 

no conflicts of interests, no doubt, Trump is above law.

Your looking at the new political normal

[craigt3365]

1 minute ago, elgordo38 said:

Your looking at the new political normal

Which changes by the day.  Trump going back on another campaign promise:

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/21/politics/newt-gingrich-trump-drain-the-swamp/index.html

Quote

 

During his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to "drain the swamp" -- leading chants of the phrase at his rallies -- part of an anti-establishment, anti-Washington message that was predicated on rooting out corruption and bringing an outsider's perspective to government.

 

But since the election, the phrase has been turned against Trump with biting irony.

 

 

[elgordo38]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

Which changes by the day.  Trump going back on another campaign promise:

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/21/politics/newt-gingrich-trump-drain-the-swamp/index.html

 

To quote lovable Al Jolson "You ain't seen nothing yet" This fox is in the hen house and the door is locked. After voters have been lied to time and again you think they would strop their minds like a straight razor on the leather belt and sharpen them. Social media Trump twitter and Fox news has taken care that this does not happen. 

[Boon Mee]

On 12/21/2016 at 1:11 PM, Chicog said:

Clear influence peddling. I'm sure the kids will do anything to exploit their dad's fame to further their own business prospects.

We've already seen the daughter hawking her trashy jewellry collection.

 

 

Not really.  From the AP article:

"Today, the only people who lost are the children of St. Jude," Eric Trump said after canceling the fundraiser for the children's hospital. "

 

They were trying to do a good thing and get beat up over Politics...

[stevenl]

21 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

Not really.  From the AP article:

"Today, the only people who lost are the children of St. Jude," Eric Trump said after canceling the fundraiser for the children's hospital. "

 

They were trying to do a good thing and get beat up over Politics...

Got it. Eric said it was not 'influence peddling', so it can't have been influence peddling.

[metisdead]

Posts containing offensive comments have been removed. 

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, boomerangutang said:

Who is more moronic:  The Trump family or Americans who voted for Trump?

 

I think it's the latter.  Trump and his lumpheaded appointees are not even trying to hide the fact that they're going to profit magnificently from their lofty positions.  Those who voted for Trump won't figure it out for years.  It's like they've all been sucking the tailpipe.  Look closely, and you can see the build-up of lipstick on its end.

Don't belittle them they are taking their lumps watching the Great Trump setting up his (war) cabinet. They have 4 years to figure it out after abortions, gay rights, marijuana, Planned Parenthood  etc have all been repealed and workfare and a stacked Supreme Court installed. We keep looking for better and always end up settling for less. For the sake of disclosure I have been married 3 times. 

[mike324]

42 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

Not really.  From the AP article:

"Today, the only people who lost are the children of St. Jude," Eric Trump said after canceling the fundraiser for the children's hospital. "

 

They were trying to do a good thing and get beat up over Politics...

 

No doubt it was for a good cause, but there might be a conflict of interest hence it was cancel. Trump family has no idea whats acceptable and whats not. As the first family, even though it may not be illegal, but you just got to draw the line somewhere. It was Trumps aides who told them to cancel it not the dems or public. What a poor and misleading statement by Eric Trump. 

 

Don't worry, St. Jude is not short on funds and its one of the most well funded children hospital in the US through donations.

[deathmule]

On 12/21/2016 at 8:57 AM, Silurian said:

 

Wheels within wheels...the illegitimate POTUS elect continues "reckless" and ignorant behavior. He wants to make up his own rules and not care about how it looks. You wanted a free-wheeling dealing president and you got one. This con-man won't care about impropriety. He will make sure his business empire continues full steam ahead. The POTUS position is just another tool to take advantage of.

 

What do you mean illegitimate?

 

As far as I know he won the elections legally.

 

And what about the conspiracy theory you're throwing in the end? Do you have any evidence?