12/14/2020
Campaign spends $1.1 million at Trump properties since September
A campaign committee for President Trump and the Republican Party spent over a million dollars at the president's hotel properties in the lead up to the 2020 election. The Washington Post reported late campaign spending pushed overall campaign expenses paid to Trump businesses to $6.7 million. Critics say the president is using his campaign to enrich himself. But, the president's resort businesses have also lost customers since he took office.
■Class discussion: Is it wrong to use donors’ money at Trump hotels and resorts for campaign rallies, fund-raising dinners and office rent? How about the U.S. government spending tax money at Trump properties? How much money have Trump businesses received from the government while he has been president? How much freedom do politicians have in spending political contributions? Can they collect money for one cause and use it for something else? What is conflict of interest?