Mar-a-Lago Members and Veterans Affairs Decision-Making

2017-01-31

Mar-a-Lago Members and Veterans Affairs Decision-Making

contradicted

Promised: 2016-10-17Trump campaigned on an ethics-reform plan framed as draining the swamp in Washington.Open cited record · 1 source
The record: 2017-01-31Trump publicly identified Isaac Perlmutter and other private citizens as people he and VA would consult.Open cited record · 1 source2020-05-04GAO documented the scope and time frames of their interactions with VA officials between 2016 and 2018.Open cited record · 2 sources
Who gained: Isaac Perlmutter, Bruce Moskowitz and Marc Sherman
Who paid: Veterans receiving VA services
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Audit finding: contradicted
Trump connected private associates from his club to VA leadership, and the resulting advisory channel operated outside ordinary federal appointment and transparency structures.
Causal strength: source attributed

Evidence chronology

promise2016-10-17documented
Trump campaigned on an ethics-reform plan framed as draining the swamp in Washington.
- Roll Call Factbase: Donald Trump Vlog: Self Funding2016-01-27 · Full transcript; statement that the campaign was totally self-funded
Open underlying ledger entry
action2017-01-31documented
Trump publicly identified Isaac Perlmutter and other private citizens as people he and VA would consult.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Private Citizens' Involvement in Decision-Making at the Department of Veterans Affairs2020-05-04 · Purpose, scope and timing of private citizens' interactions with VA, 2016-2018
Open underlying ledger entry
outcome2020-05-04documented
GAO documented the scope and time frames of their interactions with VA officials between 2016 and 2018.
- ProPublica: The Shadow Rulers of the VA2018-08-07 · FOIA emails, roles, policy contacts and trio's response
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Private Citizens' Involvement in Decision-Making at the Department of Veterans Affairs2020-05-04 · Purpose, scope and timing of private citizens' interactions with VA, 2016-2018
Open underlying ledger entry
limitation2020-05-04documented
The record does not show that Mar-a-Lago membership purchased access or that every proposal was implemented.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Private Citizens' Involvement in Decision-Making at the Department of Veterans Affairs2020-05-04 · Purpose, scope and timing of private citizens' interactions with VA, 2016-2018
Open underlying ledger entry

Responses, legal status, contrary evidence, and limitations

limitation
The record does not show that Mar-a-Lago membership purchased access or that every proposal was implemented.