How Trump's Company Profited Millions from Secret Service Flights

Secret Service Payments to Trump's Campaign

• 💰 The Secret Service has paid approximately $13 million to Donald Trump's political campaigns and fundraising committees since 2016.
• ✈️ This money was then paid to Trump's personal aviation company, Tag Air, totaling $18 million.
• 💡 This arrangement highlights how Trump's political operations can generate revenue for his business empire, with taxpayer money involved.

Financial Flowchart and Discrepancy

• 🏦 The Secret Service reimburses campaigns for airfare when accompanying a candidate, a practice seen with previous presidents.
• 🏢 However, Trump's campaign rented airplanes from his own company, creating a direct financial benefit.
• ⏳ Payments cover approximately seven to eight years, as Secret Service travel during Trump's presidency used Air Force One, not campaign flights.

Comparison to Other Candidates

• 📈 Donald Trump received significantly more in Secret Service payments compared to other candidates.
• 🥈 Hillary Clinton received $8.8 million, and Barack Obama received $4.1 million.
• 🚫 Unlike Trump, other candidates did not own their own airplanes, meaning they did not financially benefit from Secret Service travel.

Trump's Revocable Trust and Business Empire

• ⚖️ Donald Trump placed his businesses into a revocable trust upon his first election.
• 👤 He is the sole beneficiary and donor of this trust, with Donald Trump Jr. as the trustee.
• 🔑 Tag Air, his airplane company, is entirely contained within this trust, making it exclusively his business from which he can profit.
• 🚫 There are no apparent ethics laws barring Trump from accessing funds from this trust, and no precedent for a president maintaining such extensive business ties.

Broader Financial Benefits and Precedent

• 🏠 Beyond air travel, the Secret Service paid over $1.4 million to Trump's properties while he was president for accommodations.
• 📈 Reports suggest actual payments are likely much higher than what has been publicly documented.
• 🧐 The Secret Service has more leeway in travel expenses than other government agencies to ensure protection.
• 💸 Joe Biden charged the Secret Service $172,000 for renting a cottage on his property from 2011 to 2017, a significantly smaller amount than Trump's.
• 🗣️ Neither the White House nor the Trump Organization responded to requests for comment on these financial arrangements.