President Sleaze: Trump Sold Tickets to His New Years Party

Politico is reporting that Donald Trump sold tickets to his New Years Party at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The President has reportedly sold hundreds of tickets to a New Years Eve party that Trump is holding at the Palm Beach club.

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Trump Sold Tickets to His New Years Party

Trump charged more than $500 per ticket for his New Years Eve party, promoting the event by saying it would feature special guest: the president-elect of the United States of America and his family.

The report reopens questions about the seemingly endless conflicts of interest that Trump will be bringing with him to the White House.

On a more practical level, it begs the question – is Donald Trump so hard up that he needs to promote his own party? And amid the constant questions about Trump’s many conflicts, rather than try to avoid conflicts, Donald Trump seems incapable of not monetizing his power and position.

During a particularly tone deaf call with reporters on Friday, Trump spokesperson Sean Spicer noted that the party is already “sold out” with more than 800 people scheduled to attend. Expected attendees include Sylvester Stallone and music producer Quincy Jones.

According the the Politico article, “A person who travels in Palm Beach society circles said that tickets to the party were being sold for $525 each for members and $575 each for guests.”

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Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks brushed off any concerns about a conflict saying, “The transition is not concerned about the appearance of a conflict.”

Earlier this month Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned press conference where he was to announce how he would be shedding himself of his business conflicts. The announcement was postponed indefinitely.

Trump setting dangerous precedent

Beyond the obvious tastelessness of the President Elect charging a cover fee for his party, the events creates a dangerous precedent about how someone gets and audience with the president of the United States. By paying about $500 for a ticket to Donald Trump’s party those who want to curry favor with or lobby the president-elect can easily buy their access.