Donald Trump Jr. in Dubai Discussing New Foreign Deal
May 18, 2017
Donald Trump Jr. is reportedly in Dubai discussing new business deals, despite his promise Trump Organization would not pursue any new foreign deals while Trump is in office.
Donald Trump Jr. is in Dubai discussing “new ideas.”
Associated Press: “Donald Trump Jr. traveled to Dubai and met a billionaire business partner in the city-state, discussing ‘new ideas’ as the Emirati's real estate firm still lists possible plans for future joint projects while Trump's father is in the White House.”
President Trump previously promised no new foreign deals for Trump Organization.
Trump’s Trust Plan: “First, the trust agreement prohibits – without exception – new foreign deals during the duration of President-elect Trump’s presidency.”
It’s not the first time Trump’s company violated Trump’s trust pledge.
Associated Press: “The Trump Organization is returning to a long-dormant licensing deal involving a beachfront luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, testing the limits of Donald Trump’s pledge to halt new international Trump-branded projects during his presidency.”
Associated Press: “The Trump Organization has said it won't make new foreign deals while Donald Trump serves as America's 45th president. That didn't affect the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai's opening in February, while a previously planned Trump-branded golf course designed by Tiger Woods is still being built nearby.”
Projects in Dubai raise extra concerns.
Associated Press: “Experts have raised concerns that existing Trump business abroad could run afoul of the so-called ‘emoluments clause’ of the U.S. Constitution. That clause bars public officials from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments and companies controlled by them without the consent of Congress.”
Associated Press: “Dubai’s government ultimately answers to the emirate’s hereditary ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also is the UAE’s vice president and prime minister. All services to the property — electricity, water, roads — come at the discretion of the government.”
All of this comes at taxpayers’ expense. Americans pay tens of thousands of dollars when Trump’s children travel overseas.
Newsweek: “The Trump children's trips around the world with Secret Service
Eric Trump’s hotel costs in Uruguay: $97,830
Eric Trump’s hotel costs in the U.K. this week: $11,261
Eric Trump’s limousine services in Dublin: $4,029.85
Rental ski equipment and clothing for secret service during Ivanka Trump's trip to Aspen: $12,208
Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump’s hotel costs in Vancouver: $53,155
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump’s hotel costs in Dubai: $16,738
“The provided costs don't even include airfare rates for Secret Service agents taking each trek with the Trumps, nor does it include the data on those agents’ salaries and other expenditures taxpayers may be footing the bill for.”