The world's richest charity case—how Trump takes far more from charity than he gives

Rss@dailykos.com (mark Sumner) · Thursday, August 25, 2016, 7:37 pm

Donald Trump promises a lot of charitable donations, but a Washington Post investigation found that over a seven-year period, Trump donated a maximum of $10,000. Though Trump did spend $12,000 getting the Trump Foundation to buy him football souvenirs using other people’s money.

But just because Trump doesn’t give to charity doesn’t mean he can’t take credit for millions going to charity.

One of the largest and most popular venues for these events is Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, where money is raised each year for charities like the American Heart Association.

Trump has pointed to the money raised at the club as evidence of his own philanthropy, telling CNBC in 2011, “I believe there is more money in that club for charity than any other place in Florida. I mean, the place has been amazing, the kind of money we raise on a weekly basis, and I just believe that you have to give back and if you don’t give back, you’re not being honest with yourself.”

Trump uses his facilities to raise millions for charity. Which sounds lovely. Except it’s not as if Trump is donating use of his locations …

As the owner of Mar-a-lago, Trump brings in millions of dollars in revenue for his company by hosting these major charity events each year. … The fees for services provided by Mar-a-Lago — the venue, food, and drinks — can comprise more than half the total price for the major events.

Donald Trump is telling the truth when he brags about how Mar-a-lago is used to raising millions for charity. What he’s not saying is that, rather than being a donor to those charities, he’s one of the biggest beneficiaries.

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