Summary :
Congressional Democrats assert that Donald Trump’s businesses, including hotels, accepted over $7.8 million from foreign nations, with China contributing a significant portion, potentially violating U.S. constitutional norms.
A recent report by Congressional Democrats discloses that businesses owned by Donald Trump, including his hotels, received more than $7.8 million from foreign governments during his presidency.
The investigation, based on documents from Trump’s former accounting firm obtained after a court battle, alleges that China contributed significantly, potentially violating the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits presidents from accepting such payments without explicit congressional approval.
Trump, currently campaigning for a second term, has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest since taking office in 2017. While the Supreme Court dismissed conflict-of-interest lawsuits in 2021, Democrats argue that the investigation exposes Trump’s prioritization of personal financial gain over national interests.
The report details payments from at least 20 governments, noting Trump’s support for controversial policies, such as arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and skepticism toward intelligence assessments.
After China, Saudi Arabia ranked as the second-largest contributor, spending over $600,000 at Trump’s properties. Other major contributors included Qatar, Kuwait, and India.
Democrats claim the findings cover only the first two years of Trump’s presidency and represent a fraction of the total foreign funds received. The investigation ended in 2022 when Democrats lost control of Congress, preventing further document releases.
Republicans, led by James Comer, dismissed the report, emphasizing Trump’s legitimate businesses compared to ongoing scrutiny of President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.
Trump’s tax records, released in 2022, revealed business losses during his presidency, and the Trump Organization sold its Washington hotel for $375 million.