Trump Hotel at Night: Lobbyists, Cabinet Members, $60 Steaks

[Eugene]

Source: New York Times

Trump Hotel at Night: Lobbyists, Cabinet Members, $60 Steaks

By KATIE ROGERS Last Updated 7:29 PM

-snip-

In this first tumultuous summer of the Trump administration, the hotel has cemented its status as a gathering spot for prominent conservatives and a place for the president’s supporters to see, be seen and curry favor with people in power, one $24 chocolate cigar at a time. (The selfies are free.)

The hotel — a melting pot for Trump family members, Trump surrogates, tourists, YouTube celebrities, journalists and the occasional white nationalist — has earned that status in no small part because it is home to the only Washington restaurant that President Trump visits.

His company also earns a cut — about $20 million over 15 months, according to financial disclosure forms — which has outraged ethics experts and led to various lawsuits, including one filed in January against the Trump administration by a group of lawyers. They accused the president of violating the Constitution by allowing his hotels and other businesses to accept payments from foreign governments.

“It’s the same old cesspool,” said Richard W. Painter, one of the lawyers in the group and an ethics counsel in the George W. Bush White House. “It’s just that now the president is getting a cut of the revenue.”

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Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/us/politics/trump-hotel-washington.html

[BigmanPigman]

1. I wonder how it will compare to the financial losses at Mar-a-Lago

and his other properties and products now that so many are cancelling their plans for their events.

[Angry Dragon]

2. slime

[GeorgeGist]

3. Does that include ...

ketchup?

[Scarsdale]

4. I would like to know

how many of these moochers, including Erie Eric have government credit cards? How much is this costing taxpayers, who will never be able to afford such opulence? I read recently that a group from the WH dined at a place in NY. When the meal was over, as they left the women (sounds like Kellyanne) waved the receipt in the air and said "Thanks, taxpayers" How's THAT for "in your face" insulting? How bad am I for wishing those chandeliers would fall when the place is crowded?