Trump Foundation’s Donations: How Much Was Actually Given to Charitable Causes?

The Trump Foundation, officially known as the Donald J. Trump Foundation, was a private foundation established by Donald Trump in 1988. Over the years, the foundation has been the subject of numerous investigations and lawsuits, primarily focusing on its sources of funding and the distribution of its funds. One of the most common questions that arise in relation to the Trump Foundation is how much of its funds were actually given to charitable causes. This article aims to provide a comprehensive answer to this question.

Overview of the Trump Foundation

The Trump Foundation was a New York-based private foundation that was active from 1988 to 2018. During its 30-year existence, the foundation received more than .3 million in donations. The majority of these donations came from individuals and organizations other than Donald Trump himself. In fact, Trump did not make any personal contributions to the foundation from 2009 until its dissolution in 2018.

Donations to Charitable Causes

According to tax records, the Trump Foundation donated approximately .7 million to charitable causes between 2001 and 2016. This represents about 40% of the total donations received by the foundation during this period. The recipients of these donations were diverse, ranging from health organizations and veterans groups to sports-related charities and conservative political organizations.

Controversies and Legal Issues

The Trump Foundation has been the subject of several controversies and legal issues. In 2016, the New York Attorney General’s office launched an investigation into the foundation’s practices. The investigation found that the foundation had engaged in a number of illegal activities, including self-dealing and failing to follow basic legal obligations for non-profit organizations.

In 2018, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation, alleging persistent illegal conduct over more than a decade. The lawsuit resulted in the dissolution of the foundation and a court order for Trump to pay million in damages.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Trump Foundation did donate a significant amount of money to charitable causes, these donations represented only a fraction of the foundation’s total income. Furthermore, the foundation’s practices have been heavily criticized and have resulted in legal action. Therefore, it is important to consider the full context when evaluating the Trump Foundation’s charitable giving.