Donald Trump's New Piggy Bank

Donald Trump now has total control over the Republican Party

Since 2016 Donald Trump has become so dominant in the Republican Party that he was instrumental in getting two new co-chairs to head the Republican National Committee (RNC). One is Michael Whatley, a North Carolina Republican who has echoed Trump's false claim of voter fraud in the 2020 election. The other is Trump’s own daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

Before she got her latest gig, Lara Trump took an ill-fated stab at singing. She was also involved with a dog rescue charity that ended up spending nearly $2 million in donations in a seven-year period on fundraising costs for events at Mar-a-Largo and a nearby Trump golf course.

What's more, Lara Trump is married to Donald Trump's middle son, Eric, who founded the Eric Trump Foundation, which held charity golf games at his father's Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, New York. Eric Trump told the media that his family lets him hosts those charity games at that golf course for free so all of the proceeds from those games were supposed to go to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. When Forbes magazine looked into the game proceeds, it discovered this:

In reviewing filings from the Eric Trump Foundation and other charities, it’s clear that the course wasn’t free–that the Trump Organization received payments for its use, part of more than $1.2 million that has no documented recipients past the Trump Organization. Golf charity experts say the listed expenses defy any reasonable cost justification for a one-day golf tournament.

And while donors to the Eric Trump Foundation were told their money was going to help sick kids, more than $500,000 was re-donated to other charities, many of which were connected to Trump family members or interests, including at least four groups that subsequently paid to hold golf tournaments at Trump courses.

Just days after the new co-chairs took on their new roles more than 60 RNC staffers were let go from their jobs. With a total Trump loyalist and Trump's daughter-in-law in charge, I wouldn't be surprised if something irregular happens with the funds that are sent to the RNC in the future. And I can only imagine the Republican candidates in the down ballot elections (for Congress or on the state and local levels) suddenly having problems with getting financial help from the RNC, especially those who are running in very tight elections against very formidable Democratic opponents.

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