That the Trumps are shameless and greedy is already well-established. Now comes yet another expose of their sleaziness, this time using big-name charities for personal gain. Forbes magazine has an articleabout how the Trumps used their own so-called charitable foundations and so-called charitable fund raisers to siphon money to Donald Trump’s business enterprises.
In reviewing filings from the Eric Trump Foundation and other charities, it’s clear that the course wasn’t free–that the Trump Organization received payments for its use, part of more than $1.2 million that has no documented recipients past the Trump Organization. Golf charity experts say the listed expenses defy any reasonable cost justification for a one-day golf tournament.
Additionally, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which has come under previous scrutiny for self-dealing and advancing the interests of its namesake rather than those of charity, apparently used the Eric Trump Foundation to funnel $100,000 in donations into revenue for the Trump Organization.
And while donors to the Eric Trump Foundation were told their money was going to help sick kids, more than $500,000 was re-donated to other charities, many of which were connected to Trump family members or interests, including at least four groups that subsequently paid to hold golf tournaments at Trump courses.
All of this seems to defy federal tax rules and state laws that ban self-dealing and misleading donors. It also raises larger questions about the Trump family dynamics and whether Eric and his brother, Don Jr., can be truly independent of their father.
There is nothing to which these people will not stoop to make money.
felicis says
“These people”?
Charitable foundations are a scam for the wealthy. They get to have their money, donate it to themselves, spend it on what they want, give themselves a salary (while writing what they spend off on their taxes).
It’s not just the Trumps -- These foundations are yet another scam to keep from paying their fair share of taxes.