This might be the worst defense of Trump's potential conflicts of interest yet
The Republican National Committee has got a head-scratcher of a response to those accusing Donald Trump and his family of facing potential conflicts of interest. Sean Spicer, the spokesman for the Republican National Committee, told CNN's Kate Bolduan on Wednesday that you simply have to "tell everyone, here's what's going on, here's the process, here are the people that are playing a role" to avoid such conflicts.
Trump has faced criticism over his as-yet refusal to make a clean break from his business, and the potential conflicts of interest that could arise from running both the country and the family real estate empire; he has said he would transfer his business to his children via a "blind trust," but his children have also been seen sitting in on key transition meetings. "That's being transparent," Spicer explained. "Conflicts of interest arise when you're not — when you're sneaky about it, when you're shady about it, when you're not transparent about it."
Oddly enough, that part of the definition doesn't make the cut for Dictionary.com, which defines a conflict of interest simply as "the circumstance of a public officeholder, business executive, or the like, whose personal interests might benefit from his or her official actions or influence" — no sneakiness required.
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.
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
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published