Donald Trump strategically donated money from his foundation to conservative influencers ahead of his presidential bid, effectively using funds intended for charity to support his own political ambitions, a report shows.
Real Clear Politics
tracked a series of donations Trump made through his foundation between 2011 and 2014 totaling at least $286,000 to right-leaning policy groups. The analysis found that timing of the donations lined up with endorsements from such groups or speaking invitations at conferences and events. These engagements gave him a stage and access to the voters he would later hope to court during his unconventional presidential campaign.
Using Trump Foundation dollars to bolster his own political career would violate self-dealing rules, which prevents use of charitable dollars for personal use or benefit. The candidate himself
has not given to his own foundation since 2008, reports show, meaning those funds given to the conservative groups were donated by others who thought their money would be used for charity.
