Comer Ignores Trump Family Foreign Conflicts

• While Ivanka Trump served in the Trump Administration with a focus on foreign relations, she secured 18 Chinese trademarks over two years related to her business. Although Ivanka placed her business in a trust before accepting a role in the executive branch, the patents will remain active as late as 2028. The patents cover a wide range of products, including bath mats, textiles, baby blankets, jewelry, handbags, spa services, and even voting machines. China is also a major supplier of Ivanka’s merchandise.
• On the day that Ivanka won preliminary approval for three trademarks, she dined with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-A-Lago.

Conflict of interest

• The week after five more trademarks were approved in 2018, President Trump announced that he’d try to save jobs at ZTF, a Chinese telecommunications firm with connections to the Chinese Government. On the day President Trump announced he’d lift sanctions against ZTE, three more trademarks were approved.
• In 2020, President Trump and China agreed to walk back high tariffs between the two sides through the “Phase One” trade deal, though it was ultimately unsuccessful.

Sources

• The Associated Press, 11/6/2018
• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 5/25/2018
• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2/8/2021
• The New York Times, 5/25/2018
• The Los Angeles Times, 10/10/2019
• NPR, 2/15/2022

• The Trump Organization sold Jared and Ivanka’s Manhattan penthouse in the Trump Park Avenue building to Angela Chen. Chen runs the business consulting firm Global Alliance Associates, which specializes in helping US businesses make deals with China’s top power brokers. Chen is also the chair of the US branch of the nonprofit China Arts Foundation, an organization created by  former Chinese Communist Party leaders. China Arts Foundation currently exists with a goal to influence foreign policy decisions toward China and has connections with the country’s military intelligence.
• Chen was sold the penthouse for $15.8 million, 13% more than a comparable unit sold just a year prior when most units were selling for less.

Conflict of interest

• In 2020, President Trump and China agreed to walk back high tariffs between the two sides through the “Phase One” trade deal, though it was ultimately unsuccessful.

Sources

• Mother Jones, 3/15/2017
• Forbes, 1/17/2019
• CNBC, 1/30/2020
• NPR, 3/22/2017

• Kushner Companies negotiated with Chinese and Qatari investors to bail out a Manhattan office tower that faced $1.4 billion in loan payments. Wu Xiaohui, the Chairman of the Anbang Insurance Group, was in direct communication with Kushner in late 2016 about the investment. Both potential Qatari and Chinese investors were connected to their respective governments, and denied the investment, fearing  the appearance of a conflict of interest. Still, Jared and Kushner Companies attempted to push through, despite their knowledge that Jared is the son-in-law to the next President of the United States.
• Chinese officials later discussed how they might manipulate Kushner to their advantage, considering his family’s business dealings and properties as well as status in the Trump Administration.
• Jared Kushner held talks about the investment with Xiaohui while sitting on President Trump’s transition team in late 2016. He would then go on to meet with Chinese officials as a diplomat, work on foreign policy for the administration, and advise President Trump on trade deals with China.

Conflict of interest

• In 2020, President Trump and China agreed to walk back high tariffs between the two sides through the “Phase One” trade deal, though it was ultimately unsuccessful.

Source

• The New York Times, 1/7/2017
• The Guardian, 7/8/2019
• The New York Times, 10/11/2019
• The Washington Post, 2/27/2018

• While serving in the White House, Jared Kushner met with Russian bank Vnesheconombank on the basis of Kushner’s status as a representative of a financial institute. At the time, Vnesheconombank was under Western economic sanctions in response to Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine. Sergei Gorkov, ally of Putin and chairman of Vnesheconombank, also met with Kushner in December 2016, though details of the conversation are unknown. Prior to the meeting with Vnesheconombank, Kushner met with Russian Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak about opening a communications channel with Russian officials during the presidential transition.

Conflict of interest

• Though President Trump initially took a hard stance against Russia through the imposition of more sanctions and militaristic tensions, in 2018 he advocated for Russia’s readmission to the G-7 summit after he was expelled in 2014. He also opposed new sanctions on Russia, but didn’t have the power to effectively veto the measure. Trump’s withdrawal from Syria also gave Russia the chance to expand its influence.

Sources

• The Independent, 3/28/2017
• Reuters, 3/28/2017
• The Washington Post, 3/8/2018
• CNN, 11/17/2019
• The New York Times, 6/4/2017

• The Trump Organization opened a golf course in Dubai, attended by his sons and a publicly-funded Secret Service. Just a few months later, the Trump Organization announced new luxury villas for sale with exclusive access to the golf course. The Trump Organization built and profited off of these villas while President Trump was in office. UAE President ​​Hussain Sajwani also met personally with Trump Jr. in May, demonstrating the close access government officials have to the Trump family through business ties.
• The U.S. headquarters for the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, which is owned by the Emirati government and has been registered in the United States as a foreign agent since 2012, is located on the 22nd floor of Trump Tower in New York City.

Conflict of interest

• The UAE and other muslim-majority countries where the Trump Organization does business were exempted from Trump’s muslim travel ban.
• President Trump also attempted to pass a $23 billion arms deal to send weapons to the UAE. The Biden Administration eventually took up the issue and put the transfer on hold.
• In 2017, officials from the UAE identified Kushner as manipulable because of his search for investors in real estate and close ties to the Trump Administration.

Sources

• Center for American Progress, 6/14/2017
• The Atlantic, 8/9/2017
• CNN, 1/28/2017
• The Associated Press, 12/15/2021
• The Washington Post, 2/27/2018

• Kushner received $2 billion in investment from Saudi investment firm Affinity Fund, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In return for its investment, the Saudi fund would receive a stake of at least 28 percent in Mr. Kushner’s main investment vehicle. Kushner has little experience with investment funds, but formed a close relationship with the crown prince during his time as senior advisor in the Trump Administration.

Conflict of interest

• Saudi Arabia and other muslim-majority countries where the Trump Organization does business were exempted from Trump’s muslim travel ban.
• In 2017, Jared Kushner  finalized negotiations on a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
• Kushner played a leading role defending Crown Prince Mohammed after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that he had approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sources

• CNN, 1/28/2017
• Center for American Progress, 6/14/2017
• The New York Times, 5/18/2017
• The New York Times, 4/10/2022

• In November 2022, former President Trump and Eric Trump announced a deal with the Saudi-based real estate company, Dar Al Akran, to build a Trump-branded hotel, villas, and a golf course. The project is worth $4 billion, and the real estate company has ties to the Saudi Arabian government. Though the partnership is between the Trump Organization and Dar Al Akran, the new properties are set to be built in Oman.
• Previously, the Trump Organization also hosted the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournaments in Florida and New Jersey. Trump properties like Trump National Doral in Miami and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey were paid by a Saudi investment fund to host two of its tournaments this year.

Conflict of interest

• Saudi Arabia and other muslim-majority countries where the Trump Organization does business were exempted from Trump’s muslim travel ban.
• In 2017, Jared Kushner  finalized negotiations on a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
• Mr. Kushner played a leading role inside the Trump administration defending Crown Prince Mohammed after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that he had approved the 2018 killing and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi

Sources

• CNN, 1/28/2017
• Center for American Progress, 6/14/2017
• The New York Times, 5/18/2017
• The New York Times, 11/20/2022

• In 2017, a real estate firm tied to Kushner Companies appealed to Qatar’s finance minister to invest in a Midtown skyscraper owned by the Kushner family with a $1.4 billion debt. After several discussions, the Qatari government denied the opportunity to bail out Kushner Companies in fear of a blatant conflict of interest, Brookfield Asset Management eventually acquired a new lease on the property in 2018, saving the Kushners. One of Brookfield Asset Management’s largest investors is the government of Qatar, though both the investor and the Qatari government claimed that Qatar had no advance warning that the money would bail out Kushner.

Conflict of interest

• A month after the potential Qatari government bailout fell through, Kushner supported a blockade of Qatar by their Middle Eastern foes: Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The reason he publicly gave for supporting the blockade was the country’s support for terrorism.

Sources

• The Intercept, 3/2/2018
• The Washington Post, 2/28/2017
• New York Magazine, 6/29/2017
• NBC News, 3/2/2018

• Kushner Companies took out four loans from Israel’s largest bank, Bank Hapoalim. At the time, the bank was under investigation by the United States Department of Justice for allegedly helping wealthy Americans evade taxes. Kushner’s company also worked with Israeli insurance company Harel and nearly bought a different Israeli insurance company, Phoenix.
• In the first year of the Trump presidency, Kushner Companies received a $30 million investment from the Israeli financial institution Menora Mivtachim. Kushner Companies used the new funds to pump equity into 10 Maryland apartment complexes owned by Kushner Companies.
• Kushner Companies bought several floors of the former New York Times building from Israeli businessman and philanthropist, Lev Leviev. The Kushner family also collaborated with the wealthy Israeli Steinmetz family to buy $200 million in Manhattan apartment buildings.

Conflict of interest

• During Trump’s presidency, his administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, moving the United States Embassy there from Tel Aviv.
• President Trump also recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel – the first country to do so other than Israel itself.
• Kushner served as a prominent advisor of Middle East negotiations in the Trump Administration.

Sources

• The New York Times, 1/7/2018
• The New York Times, 5/18/2017
• The New York Times, 3/29/2019

• In 2019, President Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into  launching an investigation run by the Ukrainian Government against now-President Joe Biden. Zelensky was also pressured to investigate a theory promoted by Russia claiming that the Ukrainians influenced the 2016 presidential election – not the Russians.
• President Trump conditioned $391 million in military and security assistance for Ukraine on the requested investigations, as well as a head of state meeting at the White House to solidify the United States’ support for Ukraine. After President Trump’s request for an investigation became public, the funds were ultimately released.

Sources

• The Washington Post, 11/14/2022
• Committee of the Judiciary House Report on the Impeachment of Donald Trump, 12/13/2019
• Center for American Progress, 1/21/2020

The Trump Organization has several properties worldwide that were established before and during the Trump Administration. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Scotland – Trump-branded golf course and 500-unit housing development in Aberdeen, Scotland
• Ireland – Trump-branded golf course in Ireland, reportedly bought for $15 million in 2017
• India – Trump Tower India. Donald Trump Jr.’s trip to India in 2018 included both diplomatic duties alongside Prime Minister Modi and private business meetings and promotion
• Indonesia – Trump-branded luxury resorts in Indonesia. In 2019, Donald Trump Jr. flew to Indonesia to kick start sales for the project, meeting with politically-connected businessmen
• Uruguay – Punta Del Este property. In 2019, Eric Trump visited the property to work on its development
• Turkey – Trump Towers Istanbul
• Philippines – Trump Tower at Century City

Sources

• Los Angeles Times, 10/10/2019
• The Guardian, 10/17/2020
• The New York Times, 10/11/2019
• Center for American Progress, 6/14/2017
• The Washington Post, 2/22/2018
• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2/27/2020
• Business Insider, 10/18/2019

During the Trump Administration, the State Department allowed foreign governments to rent or renew leases in Trump World Tower in Manhattan, despite potential conflicts of interest. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• China – The Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is one of the largest tenants of Trump Tower. ICBC is a Chinese majority-state-owned enterprise.
• Saudi Arabia – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia paid $4.5 million to purchase a floor of Trump World Tower in 2001.
• India – In 2002, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations paid $5.1 million to purchase two units in Trump World Tower.
• Afghanistan – In 2009, the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations paid $4.235 million to purchase a unit in Trump World Tower.
• Qatar – In 2004, the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations paid $1,995,000 to purchase a unit in Trump World Tower, and in 2012, it paid $8.375 million to purchase two additional units in Trump World Tower.
• Ukraine – President Zelensky stayed at Trump World Tower when visiting the United States prior to his rise to the Ukrainian presidency.

Sources

• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2/10/2020
• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Lawsuit, 5/10/2017

The Trump DC Hotel became a hotbed of foreign activity during the Trump presidency during visits and conferences by foreign delegations. House investigators estimated that the hotel received more than $3.75 million from foreign governments from 2017 to 2020.  These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Malaysia  – In 2017, Prime Minister Najib Razak and his entourage stayed at the hotel and spent at least $259,724.
• Saudi Arabia and the UAE – In 2017 and 2018, at least $164.929 was spent by government officials from the two countries at the hotel.
• Kingdom of Bahrain – Held a National Day celebration at the hotel in December 2016.
• Azerbaijan – The Embassy of Azerbaijan hosted a Hanukkah party at the hotel in December 2016.
• Kuwait – The Embassy of Kuwait held its National Day celebration at the hotel in February 2017.
• Georgia – In 2017, Kaha Imnadze, the Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations, stayed at the hotel.
• Ukraine – A lobbyist who registered as an agent of Zelensky’s with the U.S. government hosted a $1,900 event at the D.C. hotel in April. A top Zelensky aide also met with Giuliani at the hotel.
• China – On August 27, 2017, two months before Trump traveled to Asia, an Embassy of China Delegation spent $19,391 at the Trump Hotel.

Sources

• The New York Times, `11/20/2022
• House Oversight Committee, 9/22/2017
• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Lawsuit, 5/10/2017
• The Washington Post, 9/26/2019
• House Oversight Committee, 11/14/2022