THREAD: This report is the culmination of nearly 4yrs of work, and it paints a damning picture of a corrupt president fixated on the personal financial benefits he might derive from his time in office
2/ Since day one of the Trump administration, @CREWcrew has been tracking the constant stream of conflicts of interest stemming from President Trump's decision not to divest his businesses.
We're at 3,403...and counting. citizensforethics.org/trump-conflict…
3/ From the earliest days of his presidency, Trump has used his office to promote his businesses, signaling to special interest groups, political allies and foreign governments, that the way to curry favor with his administration is through his businesses.
4/ Special interests and foreign groups have heeded the call, holding more than 143 lavish events at Trump properties -- personally enriching the president while getting access to high-level Trump officials, including cabinet secretaries and, sometimes, Trump himself.
5/ Special interest groups -- representing payday lenders, energy companies, private prisons and more -- have likely spent millions at Trump properties, with great returns.
This one got a favorable decision two weeks after spending $700k at Trump Doral citizensforethics.org/700k-doral-lob…
6/ Payday lenders spent $1 MILLION at Trump Doral as his administration rolled back rules they didn't like.
This is an actual gif shared in an industry blog post propublica.org/article/trump-…
Drain the Swamp?
7/ And Trump’s political allies -- many of whom, as members of Congress, have a constitutional responsibility to hold the president accountable -- have wholeheartedly embraced the arrangement, making hundreds of visits to his properties, spending millions that Trump profits from.
8/ Then there are Trump's own visits. Remember these promises Trump made back in 2016, saying that he wouldn't have time to visit his properties or play golf if he was elected president?
9/ As president, Trump has made 503 visits to his properties, including 303 to his private golf clubs -- all at an immense cost to American taxpayers, which he benefits from: At least $1.1 million in taxpayer money has been paid directly to his businesses washingtonpost.com/politics/secre…
10/ This gets at the central lie of Trump's claim that he works for free: Not divesting his businesses hasn't just created massive conflicts of interest, but it has earned him an annual income of over $400 million as president.
That's 1000x more than the salary he "donates."
11/ Unlike any other modern president, Trump has forced the Americans to ask if the decisions and policies his administration is implementing are because they’re best the nation, or because they personally benefit him.
We should never have to do that citizensforethics.org/press-release/…
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