Trump says his businesses got money from foreign governments because he was 'doing services' for them
Trump says his businesses got money from foreign governments because he was 'doing services' for them
"I was doing services for them. People were staying in these massive hotels, these beautiful hotels," Trump said.
Donald Trump says his businesses received payments from foreign governments because he was "doing services" for them.
Trump was at a Fox News town hall on Wednesday, commenting on a recent report from Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee. The report, published on January 4, said Trump's businesses had received at least $7.8 million in foreign payments during his presidency.
"That's a small amount of money. You know, it sounds like a lot of money. That's small," Trump said at the town hall.
The former president then explained that the payments were for accommodation at his clubs and hotels.
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So, openly admitting it was "quid pro quo". Cool.
I don't want to defend Trump, but If I understand what he said correctly, then yes but because all business is quid pro quo (this for that). You don't do business for free. The argument is whether they did business with him to influence him. That's where it becomes illegal.
Trump has done plenty wrong that we don't need to grasp for straws. Getting paid for "work" is the way capitalism functions. It's always "I'll give you this for that" and that's not illegal or even wrong usually.
I don't see the bit in
And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
That says "unless it's a business transaction, that's just fine"....
Sure, I don't totally disagree, but it should be required that they dissolve any holdings in any company, or that interpretation is just "they can't run or have an interest in any business." Even just holding a stock in a company, especially one paying dividends, would break that in the most strict interpretation.
The point is this isn't the hill to die on. This is minor compared to everything else he's done.
Unfortunately for his supporters and the GOP it's only that when the exact words are used/said out loud