Tag: conflict of interest

Over Half of Trump Appointees Have Conflicts of Interest

Buck Banks

179

The Daily Beast looked at all 341 people President Trump has nominated for administration positions and found that 179 — more than half — have some sort of a conflict of interest. “One hundred and five nominees worked in the industries that they were being tasked with regulating; 63 lobbied for, were lawyers for, or otherwise represented industry members that they were being tasked with regulating; and 11 received payments or campaign donations from members of the industry that they were being tasked with regulating.”

Kushners Get Sweet Chinese Real Estate Deal

Buck Banks

$400 million

“A company owned by the family of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, stands to receive more than $400 million from a prominent Chinese company that is investing in the Kushners’ marquee Manhattan office tower at 666 Fifth Ave,” Bloomberg reports. … The planned $4-billion transaction includes terms that some real estate experts consider unusually favorable for the Kushners. It provides them with both a sizable cash payout… for a property that has struggled financially and an equity stake in a new partnership.”

Most Say Trump Shouldn’t Sell His Business

Buck Banks

52%

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that 52% of those surveyed say Donald Trump’s decision to hand over control of his businesses to his adult sons and another executive “is enough” to separate his business interests from his obligations as president. A somewhat smaller share, 42%, say Trump should sell his businesses outright. However, Trump’s continued refusal to release his tax returns continues to be an unpopular decision, with 74% of Americans saying he should make the documents public, including 53% of Republicans.

Grassley: Trump’s Immune to Blackmail

Buck Banks

It seems to me that when you go back through the campaign and all the things that Trump said that ought to give him political problems and all the things that were caught on tape? — ?that he would probably just as soon not have the world know about it? –? it’s kind of improbable to me that anybody who knows anything about Trump? — ?that’s going to end up hurting Trump. And he was elected President of the United States.

— Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), telling WBZ in Boston that he’s not concerned that Russia may have information which could compromise President-elect Donald Trump.

Most Americans — Even Republicans — Don’t Think Trump’s Children Should Have a Part in Government

Buck Banks

17%

Of Americans are happy with the idea of Donald Trump’s children serving as advisors and running his business, according to a YouGov poll. 30% say they should pick between the two roles, while 36% say they should have nothing to do with government at all. Democrats are, unsurprisingly, most hostile to the Trump children’s involvement, but even Republicans have concerns. 31% of Republicans are OK with the planned arrangement, where his children have two roles, but 39% think his children should pick between business and politics. Only 18% of Republicans feel his children should not be involved in government at all.

Hey Donald, the Press and the Dems Are Watching …

Buck Banks

I don’t know if there’s anyone around him who can convince him that the attitude with which he’s operated for 50 years must end, and something wholly new and different begin. … But whoever does must be aware of this: The press, which wants to kill him, is going to zero in on his biggest weak spot: money, profit, the deal. Democrats too will watch like hawks. And this is understandable! Presidents shouldn’t ever give the impression things aren’t on the up and up. And Mr. Trump campaigned saying he’d dismantle the rigged system, drain the swamp, fight the racket.

— Peggy Noonan