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President Trump didn’t just fail to drain the swamp. He reinvented it.
Part Four of the Trump tax investigation reveals how he turned his properties into the Beltway’s new back rooms, where public and private business mix and special interests reign. https://nyti.ms/33MUk4H
Part Four of the Trump tax investigation reveals how he turned his properties into the Beltway’s new back rooms, where public and private business mix and special interests reign. https://nyti.ms/33MUk4H
Confidential Trump Organization documents and membership lists and interviews with nearly 250 executives, club members, lobbyists and current or former administration officials show how Trump's customers fared with his government — and how he profited. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
We found over 200 companies, special-interest groups and foreign governments that patronized Trump properties, reaping benefits from him and his administration. Nearly a quarter have never been reported.
Each is represented by a dot. Arrows show the flow of money and influence.
Each is represented by a dot. Arrows show the flow of money and influence.
Just 60 customers with interests at stake before the Trump administration brought his family business nearly $12 million in the first two years of his presidency, we found.
Almost all saw their interests advanced, in some way, by Trump or his government. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
Almost all saw their interests advanced, in some way, by Trump or his government. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
The central role played by Trump’s properties in his administration is illustrated by how often the president visits: about one out of every four days of his term, according to our tally. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
At one of those properties, Mar-a-Lago, Trump told longtime members that he ought to raise prices on the new crowd angling to join.
Then he did — at least twice — bringing the initiation fee to $250,000, according to a membership application. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
Then he did — at least twice — bringing the initiation fee to $250,000, according to a membership application. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
One Mar-a-Lago member, the real estate developer Franklin Haney, needed $5 billion in federal loans to complete a project.
"Get it done," Trump told his longtime fixer, Michael Cohen. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
"Get it done," Trump told his longtime fixer, Michael Cohen. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
Mar-a-Lago allowed for a mingling of political and business interests.
One day there, Trump thanked a newer member — an Australian cardboard magnate — for placing a newspaper ad hailing his role in the construction of an Ohio paper mill.
Trump later went to the grand opening.
One day there, Trump thanked a newer member — an Australian cardboard magnate — for placing a newspaper ad hailing his role in the construction of an Ohio paper mill.
Trump later went to the grand opening.
At President Trump’s hotel in Washington, when he walked in, word spread quickly. Groups and businesses with matters before his administration followed. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
Conservative groups also flocked to Trump properties, including the Washington hotel.
"If we can support this president by having dinner or staying at the hotel then we want to do that,” said Sharon Bolan, an evangelist who belongs to Trump’s national faith leaders group.
"If we can support this president by having dinner or staying at the hotel then we want to do that,” said Sharon Bolan, an evangelist who belongs to Trump’s national faith leaders group.
We also identified more than 20 foreign officials, politicians and businesses or groups closely affiliated with governments abroad that held events at his properties or paid for rooms there. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
Taken together, we found a system of direct presidential influence-peddling unrivaled in modern American politics.
And it revolves around Trump properties — funneling money into the Trump family's business while, at times, benefiting from U.S. government policy.
And it revolves around Trump properties — funneling money into the Trump family's business while, at times, benefiting from U.S. government policy.
The federal tax-return data for Trump and his business empire shows how his real estate holdings were under financial stress after decades of losses.
After 2016, he found a lucrative new revenue stream: people who wanted something from the president. https://nyti.ms/2SLqYgJ
After 2016, he found a lucrative new revenue stream: people who wanted something from the president. https://nyti.ms/2SLqYgJ
Club member, donor, old friend, new friend — in the tangle of the Trump presidency, it could be hard to tell the difference.
But one thing tends to stay constant: He gets paid.
Read our full investigation for more. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
But one thing tends to stay constant: He gets paid.
Read our full investigation for more. https://nyti.ms/3iMUehH
President Trump's system of favor-seeking at his hotels and resorts is unrivaled in modern American politics.
Read the key findings from our investigation. https://nyti.ms/2SL0Ang
Read the key findings from our investigation. https://nyti.ms/2SL0Ang
