The State Department's Mar-a-Lago Web Page

2017-04-24

The State Department's Mar-a-Lago Web Page

reversed

Promised: 2017-01-11At Trump's January 2017 press conference, counsel for the Trump Organization said the arrangement would isolate him from the business, bar new foreign deals and donate foreign-government hotel profits to the Treasury.Open cited record · 2 sources
The record: 2017-04-24The State Department's ShareAmerica site published and distributed a page about Mar-a-Lago while Trump retained the club's beneficial ownership.Open cited record · 2 sources2017-04-25The State Department removed the page after criticism and said its intent had been to inform the public about a site used for presidential meetings.Open cited record · 1 source
Who gained: Mar-a-Lago Club
Who paid: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of State
Audit finding: reversed
The government page promoted attention to a Trump-owned property and was then removed with an explanation that the department regretted the perception it created.
Causal strength: documented mechanism

Evidence chronology

promise2017-01-11documented
At Trump's January 2017 press conference, counsel for the Trump Organization said the arrangement would isolate him from the business, bar new foreign deals and donate foreign-government hotel profits to the Treasury.
- Time: Read a Transcript of Donald Trump's Press Conference on Conflicts of Interest2017-01-11 · Sheri Dillon remarks: no new foreign deals, limited information rights, compliance counsel, and donation of foreign-government hotel profits
- U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Oversight Committee Requests Documents on Trump Organization's Treatment of Foreign Government Payments2017-04-21 · Bipartisan committee letter describing the January pledge and requesting implementation records
Open underlying ledger entry
action2017-04-24documented
The State Department's ShareAmerica site published and distributed a page about Mar-a-Lago while Trump retained the club's beneficial ownership.
- CBS News: State Department removes Mar-a-Lago post amid outcry2017-04-25 · Post content, removal and State Department explanation
- U.S. Court of Appeals filing via Maryland Attorney General: District of Columbia and Maryland v. Trump addendum2018-12-17 · Record describing official promotion and removal of the Mar-a-Lago post
Open underlying ledger entry
outcome2017-04-25reported
The State Department removed the page after criticism and said its intent had been to inform the public about a site used for presidential meetings.
- CBS News: State Department removes Mar-a-Lago post amid outcry2017-04-25 · Post content, removal and State Department explanation
Open underlying ledger entry
administration response2017-04-25reported
A department official said the White House had not known about the content and regretted any misperception.
- CBS News: State Department removes Mar-a-Lago post amid outcry2017-04-25 · Post content, removal and State Department explanation
Open underlying ledger entry

Responses, legal status, contrary evidence, and limitations

administration response
A department official said the White House had not known about the content and regretted any misperception.