Last month, the president’s son Eric Trump jetted off to Uruguay to promote the Trump Organization. But guess who picks up the tab for hotel rooms for Secret Service and embassy staff for this trip and those others trips that will surely follow? American taxpayers.
Being a president whose separation from his businesses is beyond questionable and certainly a true example of the art of a deal. Eric mingled and dined with real estate brokers and spoke to hundreds of people at Trump Tower Punta del Este. While the Trump family made claims to keep business and government separate, there is clearly a very thin line defining such as the public will be funding their protection when traveling around the world promoting their brand.
Eric Trump’s trip to Uruguay shows just how the government is entangled with the president’s company as a result of his ignoring the demand to sever his ownership stake. Therefore, government agencies are forced into paying for support of business operations which will ultimately enrich the president. The art of the deal.
Blurred lines will probably get even blurrier
In addition to the contributions of U.S. citizens, the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay’s capital city Montevideo coughed up $9,510 to accommodate its staff’s stay at the hotel to support the Secret Service, according to purchase orders obtained by the Washington Post. Money for the hotel rooms was paid through the State Department. Citing security concerns, a spokesperson for the Secret Service declined to comment.
Crossing lines and controversies abound
Kathleen Clark, who is a Washington University (St. Louis) Law professor an expert on government ethics, said Eric Trump’s trip was an example of blurred lines regarding family business and government. Clark agrees there is a public benefit in providing protection for Secret Service and safeguards for family members of presidents but draws the line when there is no public benefit in providing costs for private business trips. By now, Americans should realize the country is getting a lesson in the art of the deal.
