Trump Keeps $3Mil Campaign Money For His Business
President-elect Donald Trump spent $3 million on the family business as campaign expenses in the final weeks of the race, according to the last Federal Election Committee filing of the 2016 campaign.
But even while spending millions on Trump-owned entities, he still spent less overall than Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during the closing stretch of the campaign and beyond.
Trump spent $94.5 million from Oct. 20 to Nov. 28, while Clinton spent $131.8 million over the same period, according to the new filings. The numbers indicate Clinton dramatically increased her spending during the last weeks of the campaign, whereas Trump's remained steady. They spent nearly the same amount, Clinton $50 million and Trump $49 million, during the first 19 days of the month.
Trump also raised more during the final weeks of the campaign, $86.1 million to Clinton's $70.2 million from Oct. 20 through Nov. 28.
The billionaire real-estate mogul donated $10 million to his campaign in the lead up to the election, after being criticized for not being willing to invest in his own effort like millions of Americans. Trump donated a total of $66 million to his campaign over the primary and general election.
Much of that went back into his and his family's pockets, however, as Trump frequently used his own businesses and properties to host campaign events, provide lodging, transportation and even meals at various points throughout the campaign. During the home stretch and the three weeks after Nov. 8, the campaign committee spent $2 million on his airline TAG Air to pay for the 737 he used to campaign across the country, and nearly $54,000 at various Trump restaurants.
Other payments included more than $236,000 to his hotel in Las Vegas, where he stayed for two nights during the third presidential debate at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Trump's campaign also generated some revenue for his children. Trump's son, Eric Trump's wine manufacturing company received $21,164 worth of payments.
Paying Trump properties for campaign purposes was a standard practice since he launched his presidential bid in the lobby of Trump tower in June of 2015. Through out the campaign, he paid rent to Trump Tower, quadrupling the amount over the course of the race. He often stayed at Trump properties and used them for press conferences and election night parties. And he collected half-a-million dollars each month from his campaign coffers for TAG Air.
The president-elect's vast business holdings have come under closer scrutiny since his electoral victory. He faces possible conflicts of interest and violations of the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the president from holding business interests that could be used to curry favor from foreign entities and groups attempting to obtain that favor by spending money and holding events at Trump properties.
Trump tweeted that he would announce on Dec. 15 how he will handle his business enterprise when he becomes president.
Another benefactor of Trump's presidential run was his digital director Brad Parscale. Parscale received $28 million worth of payments in November, bringing his 2016-cycle total to more than $70 million. Parscale, who worked with Trump's businesses before his presidential run, has become a trusted adviser to Trump.
Trump is also still contesting $766,000 worth of payments to Fabrizio, Lee and Associates, a polling firm.
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