Florida attorney general sought, received Trump donation before dropping Trump University case
Four days after Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) said publicly she was considering joining a fraud lawsuit against Trump University filed by her New York counterpart, Eric Schneiderman (D), Donald Trump sent a $25,000 donation to a group backing Bondi's re-election, The Associated Press reports. Oddly, "the money came from a Trump family foundation in apparent violation of rules surrounding political activities by charities." Bondi had personally asked Trump for a political contribution "around the same time" her office was considering the suit, AP says, and after the check arrived, Bondi's office dropped the idea, saying there was insufficient grounds to pursue the now-defunct real estate seminar.
On Monday, a Bondi spokesman, Marc Reichelderfer, said that the attorney general was unaware of the fraud allegations when she solicited money from Trump, and "the process took at least several weeks, from the time they spoke to the time they received the contribution." AP looked and found more that 20 complaints filed with the Florida attorney general's office by people seeking help to get refunds from Trump University and its affiliates; Bondi said she had received only one consumer complaint about Trump U when she decided not to pursue the case. On Monday, her office said most of the complaints were against the Trump Institute, a company licensed by Trump to run the Trump University seminars.
Last week, AP reported that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) had similarly considered and declined to pursue a fraud case against Trump University in 2010, when Abbott was attorney general; he got a $35,000 donation from Trump three years later. (Former Texas Deputy Chief of Consumer Protection John Owens says the Trump case was strong and dropped it for political reasons.) Trump, AP notes, frequently brags about buying and selling politicians on the campaign trail. "When I want something I get it," he said in January at a rally in Iowa, for example. "When I call, they kiss my ass. It's true." You can read more at AP.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published