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Dear John,
It may come as no surprise to you to hear that a new report shows that Donald Trump and his family made millions during their time in the White House.
His daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, made over $500 million in those four years -- that’s over half a billion dollars!
Profits this huge amassed by our public servants require close scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest and ethical lapses. Some of the Trump family’s profits during his presidency came from foreign governments, raising questions about his ability to maintain a neutral stance toward his personal benefactors. The President of the United States shouldn’t be on another country’s payroll.
A recent report by House Democrats shows that foreign governments patronized Trump hotels and properties to the tune of at least $7.8 million during those four years -- but the actual number is much higher. This is an incomplete report, based on just four of Trump’s hundreds of profitable holdings.
The Chinese government spent the most -- over $5.5 million -- at these Trump buildings during those four years, followed by other countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and India.
If the GOP-controlled House will not complete the report on Trump’s financial dealings during his presidency, we must demand that the Senate pick up the investigation now.
Moreover, despite Trump’s blistering anti-China rhetoric meant to fire up racism in the GOP base, he himself actually pursued business in China for more than ten years. He kept an office there while running for president in 2016, and partnered with a Chinese government-controlled company.
Trump did not disclose in his public financial reports the Chinese bank account he held under corporate names.
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s own earnings during the presidential term are also concerning. They earned $120 million during just their first year in office. For such huge personal benefits to overlap with the highest levels of public service invites potential conflicts of interest that demand investigation.
In our democratic system, we insist that our leaders focus on serving the people, not enriching themselves. Congress must come to a full accounting of how the Trumps’ financial dealings overlapped with their time in public office, and whether any conflicts raise concerns.
Tell Congress to complete the investigation into the Trump family’s private financial dealings with foreign governments during his presidency.
Thank you for keeping the office of the presidency accountable to the American people.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
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