Conservatives were correct and former President Joe Biden and CNN were incorrect when conservatives said it was corrupt for the Bidens to blend personal pursuit of profit with Biden’s duties as president.
So, we should be equally clear and correct now: It is corrupt for Eric Trump to blend Trump Organization business with his father’s official business. But that’s exactly what the Trumps are doing when Eric announces two new Trump Organization real estate partnerships in the Middle East two weeks before his father makes a visit to the very countries where his properties are going up.
Eric Trump, the president’s son, is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, which is wholly owned by his father. Last month, the younger Trump announced that the company would soon launch the Trump International Hotel and Tower Dubai. (Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai.)
The Trumps’ business partner in this project is Dar Global, which a Saudi company owns.
In Qatar, the Trumps are launching a golf course and luxury residence. Their partner in this project is a government-funded company called Qatari Diar, the chairman of which is Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiya, the former prime minister and the current minister of municipality.
In mid-May, the president will make an official visit to the three countries involved in these two deals: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
These are three countries with which the United States has delicate and valuable relationships. International diplomacy always involves give-and-take, quid pro quo. We have plenty of requests of these countries: that they not cooperate with China or Iran, that they cooperate with us on counterterrorism measures, that they stop selling arms into Africa’s conflicts, and other matters.
If these governments feel they are doing us a favor by approving or subsidizing the president’s hotels, what will they request or expect in return? Which military or diplomatic favor will they feel released from?
And if the president sees profit from friendship with these rulers, will he do undue favors for them?
DEMOCRATS AREN’T WHO THEY THINK THEY ARE
In short, will Trump use his official power to enrich himself personally, or will he let his personal business considerations influence his official actions?
Ethical norms and laws are set up to prevent such conflicts of interest. Trump has been quick to point out these conflicts when they involved the Clinton and Biden families. He shouldn’t ignore these concerns when he’s in office.