“I could actually run my business and run government at the same time”
by digby
That was almost exactly five years ago.
Trump said this today:
TRUMP: "When I run for president, that doesn't mean I'm now allowed to do business… after I won, obviously, I don't do business… there would be nothing wrong if I did do it [build a Trump-branded building in Moscow]." pic.twitter.com/5JQoVbpwm1— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 29, 2018
Just a reminder: Trump says there was nothing wrong with running his business while he was a candidate and he admitted that he did that.
But he also believes that he could run the country and his business at the same time. Which, of course, he has been doing even though he says he turned it over to the spwan.
Trump says "in theory" he could continue signing checks at his company, but he is "phasing that out now" and giving to his kids.— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 22, 2016
"I'd assumed that you'd have to set up some type of trust or whatever and you don't," Trump says.But he adds "I would like to do something."— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 22, 2016
Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he faces no legal obligation to cut ties with his businesses, even as he described how winning the presidency has made his brand “hotter” and acknowledged advancing his business interests during a conversation with a British politician.
“The law’s totally on my side, the president can’t have a conflict of interest,” Trump said in an interview with New York Times editors and writers.
Trump said he was surprised by how little was legally required of him. “In theory I could run my business perfectly and then run the country perfectly. There’s never been a case like this,” he said. “I’d assumed that you’d have to set up some type of trust or whatever and you don’t.”
I could actually run my business and run government at the same time. I don’t like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to,” Trump said.
He was making deals throughout the campaign. There’s a good chance he’s been doing it since he became president.
It makes you think they call it “executive time” for a reason.
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