All Things Trump Conflicts of Interest Thread

[GopherJake]

If the trip is state business, and the money was being spent regardless, I don’t see how it’s a conflict of interest.

In that case, we’ll have to mark you down for not understanding what a conflict of interest is.

 

[Section2]

In that case, we’ll have to mark you down for not understanding what a conflict of interest is.

The decision to stay at the Trump hotel or stay at the Holiday Express doesn't conflict with official duties in any way.

 

[GopherJake]

The decision to stay at the Trump hotel or stay at the Holiday Express doesn't conflict with official duties in any way.

Yes, we have you marked down. You have your own definition. It's wrong, but that doesn't matter to you. It's one of your go-to routes to spat with your adversaries. You are a weakling.

 

[howeda7]

The decision to stay at the Trump hotel or stay at the Holiday Express doesn't conflict with official duties in any way.

Previously we have not allowed a President to profit off of the government in this way. It is a conflict of interest.

And you haven't answered my question: Why should we pay Mar-a-Lago millions for his golf week-ends when he could go to a place the government has already provided?

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

Previously we have not allowed a President to profit off of the government in this way. It is a conflict of interest.

And you haven't answered my question: Why should we pay Mar-a-Lago millions for his golf week-ends when he could go to a place the government has already provided?

I agree with this, unless Mar A Lago is giving it away for free.

Even if thats the case, security has to be more costs due to being at an unsecured location

 

[Ewert86PC]

Was I the only person who worries about what Defense, National Security secrets and other secrets of significant national importance Trump just brazenly hands Putin every time they meet?

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[Section2]

Yes, we have you marked down. You have your own definition. It's wrong, but that doesn't matter to you. It's one of your go-to routes to spat with your adversaries. You are a weakling.

definition: "a situation in which the concerns or aims of two different parties are incompatible."

from wikipedia:
A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial or otherwise, and serving one interest could involve working against another. Typically, this relates to situations in which the personal interest of an individual or organization might adversely affect a duty owed to make decisions for the benefit of a third party.

Matches my definition. As I said very clearly and correctly, if Trump hotel cost $50k to stay in, and Marriott cost $50k to stay in, there is no adverse affect on the american taxpayer, and no conflict of interest.

Put another way, not all decisions that Trump makes that profit him are conflicts of interest. If he eats a Trump steak for dinner rather than Omaha steak, no conflict. The key is "might adversely affect a duty owed to make decisions for the benefit of a third party."

The definition game isn't MY game, it's yours. I'm routinely attacked over definitions in a bid to avoid the point.

 

[Section2]

Previously we have not allowed a President to profit off of the government in this way. It is a conflict of interest.

And you haven't answered my question: Why should we pay Mar-a-Lago millions for his golf week-ends when he could go to a place the government has already provided?

If you object to the profit, that's fine. It's not a conflict of interest in this case.

That is a legitimate gripe, although Camp David doesn't have a golf course.

 

[GopherJake]

definition: "a situation in which the concerns or aims of two different parties are incompatible."

from wikipedia:
A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial or otherwise, and serving one interest could involve working against another. Typically, this relates to situations in which the personal interest of an individual or organization might adversely affect a duty owed to make decisions for the benefit of a third party.

Matches my definition. As I said very clearly and correctly, if Trump hotel cost $50k to stay in, and Marriott cost $50k to stay in, there is no adverse affect on the american taxpayer, and no conflict of interest.

Put another way, not all decisions that Trump makes that profit him are conflicts of interest. If he eats a Trump steak for dinner rather than Omaha steak, no conflict. The key is "might adversely affect a duty owed to make decisions for the benefit of a third party."

The definition game isn't MY game, it's yours. I'm routinely attacked over definitions in a bid to avoid the point.

Here’s the number 2 definition when you Google “conflict of interest definition”:

“A situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity.”

 

[Section2]

Here’s the number 2 definition when you Google “conflict of interest definition”:

“A situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity.”

'The number 1 definition is wrong. The number 2 definition is the only acceptable one."

The wikipedia explanation is much more detailed Jake, and adds more clarity into conflict of interest than a single sentence can. I'd stick with insults and bullying rather than trying to engage the point, it was the better choice.

 

[howeda7]

I agree with this, unless Mar A Lago is giving it away for free.

Even if thats the case, security has to be more costs due to being at an unsecured location

Not only do we pay full freight for Trump, his entire family and all of the secret service, he was able to double membership fees as everyone wants access to the "Winter White House".

 

[howeda7]

If you object to the profit, that's fine. It's not a conflict of interest in this case.

That is a legitimate gripe, although Camp David doesn't have a golf course.

Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm lest it prove a conflict of interest. Not only have not demanded Trump divest his business interests, we don't demand that he not engage in self-dealing, which is what this is. And this is not the only example, just the most obvious. Further, we don't even know what all of this business interests are, because he won't release his tax returns.

Don't ever tell me that you care about transparency or government accountability when you defend and dismiss these blatant violations.

 

[cncmin]

Was I the only person who worries about what Defense, National Security secrets and other secrets of significant national importance Trump just brazenly hands Putin every time they meet?

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Of course not. Nor should anybody at all who cares about this country.

 

[bottlebass]

S2, aren't you getting tired of continually pretzeling to justify what Trump is doing? Moving the goal posts daily must get old at some point.

 

[justthefacts]

The decision to stay at the Trump hotel or stay at the Holiday Express doesn't conflict with official duties in any way.

The decision to spend nearly every weekend at a Trump property does. He has spent 172 of his 547 days in office at one of his properties.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/do...rump-spends-trump-properties-mar-lago-n753366

 

[cncmin]

The decision to stay at the Trump hotel or stay at the Holiday Express doesn't conflict with official duties in any way.

Wow, just wow. Good to know that you think you are principled.

 

[Section2]

The decision to spend nearly every weekend at a Trump property does. He has spent 172 of his 547 days in office at one of his properties.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/do...rump-spends-trump-properties-mar-lago-n753366

That’s a different issue.


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[Section2]

Wow, just wow. Good to know that you think you are principled.

You really make the best arguments.


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[Section2]

Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm lest it prove a conflict of interest. Not only have not demanded Trump divest his business interests, we don't demand that he not engage in self-dealing, which is what this is. And this is not the only example, just the most obvious. Further, we don't even know what all of this business interests are, because he won't release his tax returns.

Don't ever tell me that you care about transparency or government accountability when you defend and dismiss these blatant violations.

Had to?


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[justthefacts]

That’s a different issue.


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No, it's not. You honestly think he'd spend every weekend at a golf club in different states if he didn't own said golf clubs?

 

[Section2]

No, it's not. You honestly think he'd spend every weekend at a golf club in different states if he didn't own said golf clubs?

I’m commenting on whether or not staying at a trump resort in the UK is a conflict of interest. It’s not. If you want to say that the trend of staying at resorts is a conflict, or taken as a whole it’s a conflict, that’s a different argument.
The story was that he stayed at a resort, it cost 50k, and therefore it’s a conflict. And that’s wrong.


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[howeda7]

S2, aren't you getting tired of continually pretzeling to justify what Trump is doing? Moving the goal posts daily must get old at some point.

He didn't vote for Trump, you know.

 

[howeda7]

Had to?


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Yes. Politically he had to. Just like he had to release his tax returns, as did every other President except Don.

 

[Section2]

Yes. Politically he had to. Just like he had to release his tax returns, as did every other President except Don.

Had to is not correct. Implies force. He chose to do so because he judged it was better for him politically.


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[#2Gopher]

Had to?


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Ethically this was the route to go. Don doesn't know what the word Ethics means.

 

[Section2]

S2, aren't you getting tired of continually pretzeling to justify what Trump is doing? Moving the goal posts daily must get old at some point.

It’s not a pretzel. Something is either a conflict of interest or it isn’t. I’m not moving the goalposts either. There is plenty that’s wrong and plenty to attack, and yet you guys constantly overreach. Aren’t you tired of that? I am.


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[bottlebass]

It’s not a pretzel. Something is either a conflict of interest or it isn’t. I’m not moving the goalposts either. There is plenty that’s wrong and plenty to attack, and yet you guys constantly overreach. Aren’t you tired of that? I am.


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What you did was a clear pretzel to try and make what is an obvious conflict of interest not be one, but only for this one specific 50k.

I'm not here constantly attacking Trump either, I've spent entire days trying to defend him from the crazy left (go back and see the NK thread) but I will attack him for obvious things like this. No one can defend any of this. It's a complete joke and every single tax payer should have a problem with this. It's not even arguable and for you to pretzel and try to defend Trump is embarrassing for you. Don't turn into beeg and just gargle whatever comes out of trump's pants, you are capable of thinking for yourself.

 

[Section2]

What you did was a clear pretzel to try and make what is an obvious conflict of interest not be one, but only for this one specific 50k.

I'm not here constantly attacking Trump either, I've spent entire days trying to defend him from the crazy left (go back and see the NK thread) but I will attack him for obvious things like this. No one can defend any of this. It's a complete joke and every single tax payer should have a problem with this. It's not even arguable and for you to pretzel and try to defend Trump is embarrassing for you. Don't turn into beeg and just gargle whatever comes out of trump's pants, you are capable of thinking for yourself.

Yes, I’m commenting on this specific 50k. Actually originally I was just taking issue with all of it representing “profit”. I’m not embarrassed at all. I haven’t seen anyone make a good counter argument. Maybe when they do I will change my mind.


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[bottlebass]

Yes, I’m commenting on this specific 50k. Actually originally I was just taking issue with all of it representing “profit”. I’m not embarrassed at all. I haven’t seen anyone make a good counter argument. Maybe when they do I will change my mind.


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Pretzeling again. All the evidence is right in front of you in this thread. What do you old guys like to say? You can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink?

 

[Section2]

Pretzeling again. All the evidence is right in front of you in this thread. What do you old guys like to say? You can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink?

So the argument is over whether one specific action constitutes a conflict of interest. Yes or no? How is my position a pretzel? I’m saying it’s not, straight up. You can’t get a more simple argument.
Jake tried to argue the definition and failed. And the rest of you bring up other examples, but I’m not seeing an argument.


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