H/T to US Senator Chris Murphy D-CT on X (@ChrisMurphyCT)
The story of how Trump sells access to the White House to benefit himself and his family financially and to benefit his political operation is shocking and sordid.
No President has ever monetized access like Trump has.
The primary way to get to Trump is at his golf clubs. Reportedly, a $5 million donation to Trump’s political operation gets you a one-on-one meeting. $1 million will get you a group private dinner.
Putting a price on a one-on-one meeting isn’t normal.
One crypto CEO who paid the $1 million price explained to the @nytimes that after his meeting with Trump, his idea to make money off the federal government was suddenly “making the rounds…so mission accomplished from my view.”
Trump also sells access to him for those who send money directly to Trump’s wallet. This spring, he held a reception with the top buyers of his crypto coin. News of the opportunity immediately drove up the price of the coin, making Trump millions.
His family gets in on the grift too. His son is opening a new private club in DC – with a $500,000 entry fee. Donald Jr. markets it as the place to meet with his father’s Cabinet. They don’t even hide the access game, naming it “The Executive Branch”.
Of course big donors have always had access to politicians. But the scope and sophistication of this access operation is unprecedented.
And NEVER before has a President openly made money personally off selling access like this.
We shouldn’t accept any of it.