Trump Groups Raised Millions, Then Paid It Out to Loyalists and a Trump Hotel

The following article by Kenneth P. Vogel and Rachel Shorey was posted on the New York Times website January 24, 2018:

Trump International Hotel in Washington has emerged as the spot for those seeking to rub elbows with those closest to the president. Credit Alex Wroblewski for The New York Times

WASHINGTON — A pair of groups supporting President Trump say they raised $30 million last year, then spent tens of thousands of those dollars at the Trump International Hotel here and on payments to a few Trump loyalists like the former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and the former Milwaukee County sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., according to new campaign finance reports and news reports.

Of the millions raised, at least $1 million came from a coal company that has gained extraordinary access to the Trump administration to push for pro-coal policy changes.

The campaign finance reports shed light on a network of groups that were formed to support Mr. Trump, but have spent less than other groups bolstering his agenda, while steering money to the president’s businesses and his most ardent surrogates. Continue reading “Trump Groups Raised Millions, Then Paid It Out to Loyalists and a Trump Hotel”