As the US Presidential Election inches closer, the PR team of Donald Trump is leaving no stone unturned in working for his re-election campaign. Recently, it was announced that Trump has donated 25% of his annual salary to the HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) to help in fighting against the Coronavirus outbreak in America.
Coronavirus has affected more than 30 states in America as of now, and 22 people have died so far.
While this move by Trump is being announced as some sort of sacrifice made by him, a little fact-checking reveals that his donation is not really a selfless action – it is done so that he could get a tax break because of the donation made.
Donald Trump “donates” part of his salary every year
Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary announced that Trump has “honoured” the promise he made in 2016, to donate a part of his salary to some federal agency every year.
Stephanie Grisham said in a Twitter post that Trump has donated his salary “to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus.”
President @realDonaldTrump made a commitment to donate his salary while in office. Honoring that promise and to further protect the American people, he is donating his 2019 Q4 salary to @HHSGov to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/R6KUQmBRl1
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) March 3, 2020
He cut the HHS budget by $12 billion and then donated $100,000
Interestingly, while Donald Trump’s donation to the HHS to help the “cause against coronavirus” comes after he proposed to cut the HHS’s annual budget by $12 billion dollars – which is a staggering deduction of 12%!
But he is making a big deal out of donating $100,000 which is peanuts compared to budget cut he made of $12 billion to the health budget just last month.
It just means that while Trump is trying to bolster his own image by appearing as a generous donator while reducing the funding of all the health agencies which can actually combat coronavirus.
Trump’s salary is $400,000 but he made $432 million by using his power as the President
An American President is obligated to revoke their business interests as soon as they take the oath, but Trump refused to let go of his real estate business – instead, he used his power as the American President to help his business earn more money.
Trump’s hotels near the White House have skyrocketed in prices, and one of his hotels just blocks away from White House garnered $41 million in revenue just last year. Trump Organization made $20 million just from real estate sales revenue last year.
He has even used the American Secret Service to help him expand his real estate empire and rope in more revenue.
“Trump’s donation is an investment in public relations”
Walter Shaub, senior adviser for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and the former director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), does not approve of Donald Trump and his shenanigans.
“Trump’s salary is a drop in the bucket compared to what he brings in by monetizing the presidency or compared to what he costs taxpayers with his frequent trips to promote his own properties. It’s also offset by what Trump’s company charges the Secret Service for the privilege of protecting him,” he said.
This isn’t altruism. This is an investment in public relations as he profits off his high office.
Featured Image Courtesy: Slapped Ham
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