Donald Trump made a killing on his own campaign

From the launch of his presidential bid in June 2015 through the end of 2016, President Trump's campaign paid President Trump's businesses a grand total of $12.8 million. Per Politico's analysis of Federal Election Commission data, Trump's campaign paid Trump's businesses "for everything from office suites and hotel stays to payroll, security, and office supplies."
Even Trump Ice made a buck off the campaign, reportedly raking in $3,400 for the office supplies and beverages it provided. Other beneficiaries included Trump's "Winter White House," also known as Palm Beach resort Mar-a-Lago, as well as Trump Restaurants, Trump Grill, and Trump Cafe.
This "integrated business and political operation" is "without precedent in modern American presidential politics," Politico writes:
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.
Before Trump, super-rich candidates had mostly shied away from relying heavily on their own companies for campaign services, either because their businesses were structured in a manner that wouldn't allow them to do so, or because they were leery of pocket-padding charges that inevitably arise from using their campaigns to pay their businesses or families. Additionally, rich candidates have mostly sought to avoid calling attention to their wealth. [Politico]
Politico notes it's not yet entirely clear just how much Trump and his companies "benefited" from his campaign.
For a deeper breakdown of how much money Trump's campaign paid to Trump's businesses, head over to Politico.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Economists fear US inflation data less reliable
speed read The Labor Department is collecting less data for its consumer price index due to staffing shortages
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores