CNN just ran one of those “crawls” across the screen that noted the following: Donald Trump is spending his 10th consecutive weekend at a property that has his name plastered all over it.
The president greeted China’s president at Mar-A-Lago in south Florida. He ventured to one of the golf resorts that has the Trump name on it.
He’s been doing this repeatedly since becoming president of the United States on Jan. 20.
I know what the emoluments clause in the U.S. Constitution says about how presidents cannot take money from foreign governments. I also know that the president hasn’t divested himself of his many business interests, such as those ritzy resorts, hotels and such.
My question rests, finally, with this: Is the president fattening his own bank account when he visits these properties while attracting potential business to them?
Public vs. private interests have this way of conflicting with each other … or so one might believe.
I bet you lunch (and dinner) that the Pres. is very careful to instruct his minions to “comp” all those accomodations to foreign dignitaries. After all we don’t charge them to stay or dine at the White House (do we?)
I hail from my Daddy’s far flung potato farm (just fell off the truck, don’t you know) so maybe it’s gauche for the President to “put up” such VIPs at his temporary digs (I feel lost – LOST! – without my Emily Dickinson nor my Judith Martin manuals at hand).
If it’s Presidential fame to which you object, then I’ll go along – as soon as you call for WJC, BHO, GWB, etc. to forego their speaking fees.
(just kidding, I wouldn’t go along with that, either)