Day 963: Trump: Oh, all that obvious corruption that benefits me, I had nothing to do with it
The corruption that permeates the Donald Trump administration has never been approached in the history of the United States. His various business entanglements affect his decision-making on everything from domestic issues to those abroad. Additionally, they impact those around him, with everyone trying to curry favor in blatantly corrupt ways.
That corruption has hit headlines often over the past week. That led Trump to deny two stories that ooze the very swamp that he previously swore to drain. His claim for each was nearly identical: I know nothing, I had nothing to do with anything.
The former tweet denied input of Mike Pence costing American taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars to stay at Trump’s resort in Doonbeg. Pence easily could have stayed in Dublin where he had numerous meetings.
Regardless of Trump’s “nothing to do with the decision” proclamation, Pence’s own chief of staff admitted that Trump “suggest[ed]” that Pence stay at the Trump property.
The latter tweet on Monday about the Air Force makes it sound as though a single flight landed near a Trump property, but the issue is far more prevalent than that, and it’s putting millions of dollars in Trump’s pocket. The Air Force trip spurred a wider investigation that has revealed significant irregularities that benefit Trump in multiple ways.
The inquiry is part of a broader, previously unreported probe into U.S. military expenditures at and around the Trump property in Scotland. According to a letterthe panel sent to the Pentagon in June, the military has spent $11 million on fuel at the Prestwick Airport — the closest airport to Trump Turnberry — since October 2017, fuel that would be cheaper if purchased at a U.S. military base. The letter also cites a Guardian report that the airport provided cut-rate rooms and free rounds of golf at Turnberry for U.S. military members.
Taken together, the incidents raise the possibility that the military has helped keep Trump’s Turnberry resort afloat — the property lost $4.5 million in 2017, but revenue went up $3 million in 2018.
Prestwick Airport is suffering serious financial issues, and Trump needs it to stay open. Should it close, his resort will suffer devastating effects.
Prestwick Airport has long been debt-ridden. The Scottish government bought it in 2013 for £1, but it has continued to lose money in the years since. In June, the government announced its intent to sell the airport, which the panel’s letter described as “integral” to the success of the Turnberry property, 30 miles away.
Because of that, the lawmakers argued that the spending at the airport — in addition to the spending at the Trump property — raises concerns about conflicts of interest and possible violations of the domestic emoluments clause of the Constitution, which prohibits the president from receiving any compensation from the federal government other than his salary. After being elected, Trump chose not to fully divest himself from his business interests, choosing instead to put his holdings in a trust that he can receive money from at any time.
The cost of the resort — that American taxpayers are footing the bill for — is so exorbitant, that crew members’ per diem allowance didn’t even cover the full cost of food and drink (which is more money going into Trump’s pocket).
Trump’s claims that he knew nothing about any of these issues defies belief. That’s especially true since it’s Trump go-to denial whenever he gets in hot water.
The swamp isn’t draining.
It’s flooding like never before, and it’s going to keep happening.
963 days in, 499 to go
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