The Trump Organization recorded a small rise in profits from foreign governments in 2018, the company announced in a statement Monday.
The Trump Org donated $191,538 of declared 2018 foreign government profits to the U.S. Treasury, a move intended to head off allegations that the President’s stake in the company violates the Constitution’s Emoluments clause.
“It is our great honor to donate $191,538.00 to the United States Treasury. This voluntary donation fulfills our pledge to donate profits from foreign government patronage at our hotels and similar businesses during our father’s term in office,” said Trump Org executive and large adult son Eric Trump in a statement provided to TPM.
The President’s third child added in the statement that, “unlike any other luxury hospitality company, we do not market to or solicit foreign government business. In fact, we go to great lengths to discourage foreign government patronage at our properties.”
The statement did not specify how the company discourages foreign governments from spending money at its properties.
The company rents out floors of its New York buildings to the Saudi government and a state-owned Chinese bank, respectively, while its D.C. hotel has played host to foreign diplomats.
The emoluments issue — a clause in the Constitution that bans presidents from accepting things of value from foreign governments — is currently winding its way through the courts.
A case brought by the Maryland and D.C. attorneys general is on appeal, after the DOJ sued to stop discovery from going forward in the case.
All the while, allegations have continued to dog the President that U.S. foreign policy is being influenced, at least in part, by the foibles of the Trump Org. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) announced last month that the House Foreign Affairs committee would open an investigation into the issue.
