Trump Organization Unveils New Ethics Plan Amidst Foreign Deal Concerns
The Trump Organization reveals a revised ethics plan for the president-elect's second term, allowing deals with foreign companies while limiting his management involvement.
Politics
Mostly Reliable
Summary
The Trump Organization has announced a new ethics plan for President-elect Donald Trump, which limits his involvement in the company while permitting new business dealings with foreign entities. Unlike during his first term, the new plan only restricts transactions with foreign governments, raising concerns among ethics watchdogs about potential conflicts of interest. The organization has appointed William Burck as an outside ethics advisor to oversee transactions exceeding certain thresholds. This shift highlights an ongoing debate surrounding Trump’s financial interests and influence on foreign policy during his presidency.
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From the Left
Donald Trump's voluntary ethics agreement is insufficient and allows his business to still engage in potentially corrupt practices with private foreign companies.
The Trump Organization's history of neglecting ethical guidelines raises concerns about Trump's influence on policy through his business dealings, especially with foreign entities.
Previous presidents have taken more definitive steps to avoid conflicts of interest, highlighting Trump's lack of commitment to ethical standards in his business operations.
Informed by:
From the Right
The Trump Organization's new ethics agreement restricts direct deals with foreign governments but permits engagement with private companies, a move that some predict will foster business growth.
Eric Trump reassures that the organization intends to exceed legal and ethical obligations, implementing safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest during his father’s presidency.
Critics of Trump’s previous term often overstate concerns about corruption, as his organization aims to navigate ethics while expanding business operations without direct government interference.
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Highlights (8)
The Trump Organization on Friday unveiled a new ethics plan that it says will limit President-elect Donald Trump’s involvement in management decisions and other aspects of the business while he is in the White House.
Trump Organization to limit president-elect's involvement under new ethics plan
NBC News
·CenterThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
But the closer one looks at some of the relevant details, the greater the cause for concern.
Ethics pledge from Trump Organization faces immediate pushback
MSNBC
·LeftThe underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.Mostly Reliable
Many policies outlined in a five-page document mirror Trump's promises when he took office in 2016.
The Trump Organization's foreign deals pledge leaves some wiggle room
Business Insider
·CenterThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
The Trump Organization is dedicated to not just meeting but vastly exceeding its legal and ethical obligations during my father’s Presidency… we have not only implemented a series of robust ethical standards, but also appointed one of the most respected attorneys in the country to guide our company while my father serves to make America great again.
Donald Trump's company will avoid deals with foreign governments but not foreign companies
USA TODAY
·CenterThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
Although Trump is not required to take these steps, previous presidents have moved more aggressively to divest themselves of their businesses or place their holdings in blind trusts to avoid the appearance of self-dealing – a distinction often noted by ethics watchdogs during Trump’s political career.
CNN
·Leans LeftThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
“The scale of corruption will be orders of magnitude greater than what we saw in the first Trump administration,” said government ethics lawyer Kathleen Clark of Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.
The Trump company is not banning private foreign deals, a break with its first term policy
Associated Press
·CenterThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
The announcement comes ahead of Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration and as his business interests are sure to be a point of contention for critics who worry the Trump family will profit from the presidency.
Trump’s company unveils its ethics guidelines for his second term
The Hill
·CenterThe underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.Reliable
The scale of corruption will be orders of magnitude greater than what we saw in the first Trump administration.
Trump Org Not Banning Private Foreign Deals, in Break With 1st Term
Newsmax
·RightThe underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.Mixed Reliable