The Trust for the National Mall Could Earn Up to $10 Million for its Role Managing Trump’s Ballroom Contributions
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he is pressing a nonprofit on its involvement in fundraising for Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom.
“The Trust for the National Mall is a 501(c)(3) chartered non-profit tax-exempt charity and, as such, enjoys substantial taxpayer-subsidized benefits — as do its donors. But these benefits come with responsibilities,” Wyden and other senators wrote to Trust President and Chief Executive Officer Catherine Townsend. “You owe Congress and the public answers about your role in managing funds for President Trump’s ballroom.”
Today’s letter follows a failure of the Trust to respond to a letter sent in October of last year, in which lawmakers raised concerns over the agreement struck between Donald Trump and the Trust to serve as the primary fundraising vehicle for his ballroom, for which it could earn up to $10 million in profits.
“Your response fails to provide information about how the Trust is ensuring compliance with these rules while accepting what could be hundreds of millions of dollars in donations for President Trump’s ballroom from corporations that have significant matters pending before federal agencies controlled by the President,” wrote the lawmakers.
The lawmakers highlighted donation rules that the Trust must follow to avoid any appearance of endorsement, preferential treatment, or influence over federal decision-making.
The letter was led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Joining Wyden in signing the letter are Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass.
Text of the letter is here.
A web version of this release is here.
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