April 12: On This Day In 2017
Diplomatic money-making: On Feb 13th, we told you how Trump devised foreign policy strategies with Japanese Prime Minister Abe in public at his Mar-a-Lago restaurant. But why were they even there in Florida? Why didn’t Trump just host Abe at the White House like most presidents do?
Well, anytime Trump hosts an event or foreign leader at his personal property, he gets to bill the U.S. taxpayers! Down to the smallest detail. For example, after the Abe meeting, his restaurant charged us for the meals, the flowers, and the guest rooms. They even charged us $3 for Abe’s cup of water! Ka-ching! That money (in much greater quantities) is being taken by Trump's company.
Trump took advantage of dozens of other such opportunities during his time in Washington. OTDI 2017, Trump revealed on Fox News that he had ordered a deadly airstrike on Syria while hosting Chinese Prime Minister Xi…and enjoying "the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you've ever seen." Hey, get those plugs in there for your club’s desserts whenever you can!
But Trump took in cash all the time, for four years…not just when visitors came in. Republican leaders spent over $20 million at his hotels and resorts just in the first few years of his presidency--and that number jumped during the 2020 campaign. In one memorable incident, sycophantic and pitiful Attorney General William Barr hosted a $30,000 holiday party at Trump’s hotel in Washington.
Btw, the next time Abe visited the U.S., Trump did actually receive him at the White House instead. But, of course, they still golfed at one of his personal properties…
Dive deeper
Video of Trump discussing his “beautiful chocolate cake”
Read more about why we got charged $3 for water
Coverage of Trump and Abe’s golf outing
Please read the commentary contextualizing all of Trump’s financial corruption
On This Day In The Trump Administration: Trump takes taxpayer funds. Arranges events which benefit him personally