While hosting a LIV golf tournament in Bedminster that is supported by Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump looks to be breaching the law.
While the former president took part in the pro-am of the Saudi-sponsored tournament on Thursday, the seal was affixed on towels, golf carts, and other goods.
Donald Trump has plastered the presidential seal across his New Jersey golf club as he controversially plays host to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament–despite watchdog complaints about the one-time president exploiting the image for commercial purposes.https://t.co/pX6fP5qYQz
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) July 29, 2022
The Washington Post reports that it is illegal to use the presidential and vice presidential seals in ways that could give the appearance that the US government is endorsing or approving something.
Although breaking this statute could result in “not more than six months” in jail, a fine, or both, these penalties are rarely used.
Is Donald Trump illegally flashing the presidential seal at his golf outings? https://t.co/nthSoVIFaC
— #TuckFrump (@realTuckFrumper) July 29, 2022
Observations of the seal at Trump sites have occurred previously. The emblem has been put on a marker at the former president’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Trump Organization ordered golf course markers with the presidential seal on them, according to reports from WNYC and ProPublica in 2018.
His Bedminster golf club was alleged to have made money last year by a Washington, D.C., watchdog organization by utilizing images of the presidential seal.
Former president Donald Trump was spotted using the presidential seal on multiple items during the LIV Golf tournament at his Bedminster, N.J., golf course.
#ICYMI, Donald Trump uses presidential seal at N.J. golf club amid ethics complaints and totally against Federal law!
Hey AG Garland, please add this one to the list.
We are so fvcking done with this POS.
Shut him down & Lock Him Up!https://t.co/AZlzWr6I16
— #MattGaetzIsGoingToPrison (@Biden_My_Time) July 29, 2022
The seal was plastered on towels, golf carts, and other items as the former president participated in the pro-am of the Saudi-sponsored tournament Thursday.
It is against federal law to use the presidential and vice-presidential seals in ways that could convey “a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States.”
While violating this law could result in imprisonment of “not more than six months,” a fine, or both, these punishments are rarely doled out.
Donald Trump was spotted using the presidential seal on multiple items during the LIV Golf tournament at his Bedminster golf course.
Per @marianaa_alfaro @RickMaese @ellen_fra:https://t.co/kmWzywY3ra
— Vicky Ward (@VickyPJWard) July 29, 2022
Last year, a Washington D.C.-based watchdog group accused his Bedminster golf club of profiting from using images of the presidential seal.
“Unlawful use of the presidential seal for commercial purposes is no trivial matter, especially when it involves a former president who is actively challenging the legitimacy of the current president,” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said when it filed the 2021 complaint.
The LIV Golf Invitational Series competition was closed to spectators but allowed media access as Trump teed off on Thursday.
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Trump uses presidential seal at N.J. golf club amid ethics complaints
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His record with insurgent leagues should make his new partners nervous pic.twitter.com/pbLq7HjtMA— Meryl (@VintageEdges) July 29, 2022
The third and second US events in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series, which Trump has partnered with at Bedminster in response to criticism, are taking place this week.
The former president was questioned if he regretted that LIV Golf rather than the PGA Tour or the U.S. Golf Association was hosting the event at the golf club.
Donald Trump willfully violates federal law, Part 3,714 — “Trump is using the presidential seal at his New Jersey golf club”: https://t.co/0zHnLNytBr pic.twitter.com/EKI0q79B6F
— Stephen Schwartz (@AtomicAnalyst) July 28, 2022
“No, no regrets. That’s their problem,” he said. “This course blows every other course away.”
When a journalist questioned him about whether he intended to declare his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, he responded: “You’re going to be so happy . . . We’ll let you know pretty soon.”
