Trump Donates First 3 Months Salary to National Park Service

 

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park Superintendent Tyrone Brandyburg accept Trump’s donation check from White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

During the campaign, candidate Trump promised, “If I’m elected president, I’m accepting no salary.” Today, President Trump began to fulfill that commitment. He has donated his first three months of salary to the National Park Service.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer announced the move at his Monday briefing, presenting a check for $78,333.32 to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. “The President has spoken with counsel and made the decision to donate his first-quarter salary to a government entity,” Spicer said.

Zinke noted that the donation will be directed to maintaining historic battlefield sites.

A question for the Ricochetti: Where should Trump direct next quarter’s donation?

Published in Economics, Environment, General
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  1. The Cloaked Gaijin Member
    The Cloaked Gaijin
    @TheCloakedGaijin

    Radio y Televisión Martí

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_y_Televisi%C3%B3n_Mart%C3%AD

    “President Trump helps support Spanish language programming.”  The crowds will love that.

    Use these donations as small pin-prick-sized weapons.

    Donate money to Chicago’s best inner city charter school.

    Donate money to the Oroville Dam and see if Jerry Brown will actually accept it.

    Donate the money to repair broken-down courthouses in Appalachia, the Ozarks, and elsewhere.  Some of these necessary buildings haven’t been remodeled in 60 years while silly, new government buildings constantly expand into the richest counties of Virginia and Maryland.

     

     

     

     

     

    • #31
  2. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    Big Green (View Comment):

    Fred Cole (View Comment):
    He should return it to the [expletive] treasury. He’ll be long out of office, and I’ll still be paying the interest on the money we borrowed for his “donation.”

    I am quite certain that the National Park Service is funded by the treasury. Since money is fungible, this is a donation to the treasury.

    Right here:

    https://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/gift/gift.htm

    Gift Contributions to Reduce Debt Held by the Public

    The Bureau of the Fiscal Service may accept gifts donated to the United States Government to reduce debt held by the public. Acting for the Secretary of the Treasury, Fiscal Service may accept a gift of:

    • Money, made only on the condition that it be used to reduce debt held by the public.
    • An outstanding government obligation, made only on the condition that the obligation be retired and the redemption proceeds used to reduce debt held by the public.
    • Other intangible personal property made only on the condition that the property is sold and the proceeds from the sale used to reduce the public debt.

    Gifts to reduce debt held by the public may be inter vivos gifts or testamentary bequests.

    The fiscal year to date information includes total gifts received for the months of October through September. For the years 1996 and 1997, monthly data is not available.

    Trump’s “donation” was money either taken from me by force, or borrowed and I’ll have to pay back.  He could have returned it to the treasury if he wished.

     

    • #32
  3. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    Big Green (View Comment):

    Fred Cole (View Comment):
    He should return it to the [expletive] treasury. He’ll be long out of office, and I’ll still be paying the interest on the money we borrowed for his “donation.”

    I am quite certain that the National Park Service is funded by the treasury. Since money is fungible, this is a donation to the treasury.

    Right here:

    https://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/gift/gift.htm

    Gift Contributions to Reduce Debt Held by the Public

    The Bureau of the Fiscal Service may accept gifts donated to the United States Government to reduce debt held by the public. Acting for the Secretary of the Treasury, Fiscal Service may accept a gift of:

    • Money, made only on the condition that it be used to reduce debt held by the public.
    • An outstanding government obligation, made only on the condition that the obligation be retired and the redemption proceeds used to reduce debt held by the public.
    • Other intangible personal property made only on the condition that the property is sold and the proceeds from the sale used to reduce the public debt.

    Gifts to reduce debt held by the public may be inter vivos gifts or testamentary bequests.

    The fiscal year to date information includes total gifts received for the months of October through September. For the years 1996 and 1997, monthly data is not available.

    Trump’s “donation” was money either taken from me by force, or borrowed and I’ll have to pay back. He could have returned it to the treasury if he wished.

    It is almost as if you resent him getting paid at all.

    • #33
  4. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    • #34
  5. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    Which other US President has?

    • #35
  6. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Zafar (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    Which other US President has?

    Perhaps not while in office but book deals, foundations, speaking fees. Perhaps the president will lower the fees and dues after he leaves office and the increase is a sort of security fence.

    • #36
  7. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    Which other US President has?

    Perhaps not while in office…

    Yeah. Imho significant.

    • #37
  8. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    Which other US President has?

    Perhaps not while in office

    Hoover and Kennedy both donated their salaries.

     

    • #38
  9. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    Which other US President has?

    Perhaps not while in office

    Hoover and Kennedy both donated their salaries.

    I see no libertarian reason to care one way or another what a paid employee does with his or her salary, elected official or not.

    • #39
  10. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):
    I think Trump should donate his next check to the Jon Gabriel Maserati Fund.

    That sounds like a very noble charity to me.  It’s a shame though, that Maserati no longer offers the Quattroporte with a manual transmission.

    • #40
  11. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):
    Classy!

    And no one else ever did?

    Which other US President has?

    Perhaps not while in office

    Hoover and Kennedy both donated their salaries.

    Fred, do you look at the link?

    • #41
  12. goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    I’m reminded of something Rose Kennedy said once when criticized for the money the Kennedys spent on electing their progeny to office (I’m paraphrasing here): “It’s our money, and we can spend it any way we like.”  So, we can all have ideas of where he should have donated, but it’s Trump’s money to donate as he chooses.

    • #42
  13. Mark Wilson Inactive
    Mark Wilson
    @MarkWilson

    Roberto (View Comment):
    Hmm, now what is this about?

    “It’s a decision he made. Counsel presented him with several options.

    Why involve counsel, concerns about conflict of interest?

    I hate to be cynical about this because I think he has done nothing wrong and the gesture is admirable.  But knowing how large bureaucracies work, I wonder what multiple of $78,333.32 it cost the taxpayers to pay the salaries of the people who researched and put this list of options together?

    • #43
  14. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Being Mad at Trump for this reveals that someone will be mad at Trump for anything he does.

    • #44
  15. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Mark Wilson (View Comment):

    Roberto (View Comment):
    Hmm, now what is this about?

    “It’s a decision he made. Counsel presented him with several options.

    Why involve counsel, concerns about conflict of interest?

    I hate to be cynical about this because I think he has done nothing wrong and the gesture is admirable. But knowing how large bureaucracies work, I wonder what multiple of $78,333.32 it cost the taxpayers to pay the salaries of the people who researched and put this list of options together?

    Does it matter if they are already on staff and this kept them from whatever it is that they are paid to meddle with?

    • #45
  16. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):
    Being Mad at Trump for this reveals that someone will be mad at Trump for anything he does.

    I was just told that Trump isn’t following the rule of law. Did Obama?

    • #46
  17. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    MLH (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):
    Being Mad at Trump for this reveals that someone will be mad at Trump for anything he does.

    I was just told that Trump isn’t following the rule of law. Did Obama?

    I missed that. This donation does not follow the rule of law?

    • #47
  18. MLH Inactive
    MLH
    @MLH

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    MLH (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):
    Being Mad at Trump for this reveals that someone will be mad at Trump for anything he does.

    I was just told that Trump isn’t following the rule of law. Did Obama?

    I missed that. This donation does not follow the rule of law?

    No. It’s in general that he’s, apparently, not following the rule of law.

    • #48
  19. Damocles Inactive
    Damocles
    @Damocles

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    It is almost as if you resent him getting paid at all.

    I think whoever’s President should have to PAY to get the job.  We can auction it off to the highest bidder!

    • #49
  20. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):
    Being Mad at Trump for this reveals that someone will be mad at Trump for anything he does.

    Is anyone actually mad about this?

    Speaking for myself, I think I’d have the same reaction to any President doing this.

    Wrt, Trump, I’m not inclined to cut him slack, which is entirely his own doing.

    • #50
  21. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    Damocles (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    It is almost as if you resent him getting paid at all.

    I think whoever’s President should have to PAY to get the job. We can auction it off to the highest bidder!

    The Romans tried that once. It didn’t work very well.

    • #51
  22. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    Damocles (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    It is almost as if you resent him getting paid at all.

    I think whoever’s President should have to PAY to get the job. We can auction it off to the highest bidder!

    The Romans tried that once. It didn’t work very well.

    Worked out okay for Septimus Severus.

    • #52
  23. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    Percival (View Comment):

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    Damocles (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    It is almost as if you resent him getting paid at all.

    I think whoever’s President should have to PAY to get the job. We can auction it off to the highest bidder!

    The Romans tried that once. It didn’t work very well.

    Worked out okay for Septimus Severus.

    Indeed it did.

    • #53
  24. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):
    Being Mad at Trump for this reveals that someone will be mad at Trump for anything he does.

    Is anyone actually mad about this?

    Speaking for myself, I think I’d have the same reaction to any President doing this.

    Wrt, Trump, I’m not inclined to cut him slack, which is entirely his own doing.

    It is his money. I would think as a libertarian (or libertarian-like person if you do not identify with the label), you would not have much to say at all about how someone else spends his money.

    Trump donated his salary to what appears to be a good cause that helps us honor the fallen heroes. It might not be the cause you want it donated too, but I applaud any person’s donation to a good cause. I cannot imagine being so miserly in spirit that I could not even begrudge that for someone’s act, regardless of the person.

    • #54
  25. Sweezle Inactive
    Sweezle
    @Sweezle

    The MSM still hasn’t acknowledged this. Quelle surprise.

    • #55
  26. 1967mustangman Inactive
    1967mustangman
    @1967mustangman

    So @FredCole you are mad that he didn’t give his money the park service and not to the treasury debt pay down fund….why not make this rule for all federal workers since all of their money is, by your definition, taken from us by force.  We’ll call it the Cole Amendment:

    1. All federal government employees must give all charitable donations to the Federal government to the charity to pay down the federal debt.
    2. All government employees must give 10% of their salary to charity]
    3. All Americans are considered government employees (heck why not).

     

    • #56
  27. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    1967mustangman (View Comment):
    So @FredCole you are mad that he didn’t

    Not mad. Not a thing to get mad about.

    Im just not going to cherish and praise him for this.

    • #57
  28. 1967mustangman Inactive
    1967mustangman
    @1967mustangman

    Fred Cole (View Comment):

    1967mustangman (View Comment):
    So @FredCole you are mad that he didn’t

    Not mad. Not a thing to get mad about.

    Im just not going to cherish and praise him for this.

    Huh so the [explitive] wasn’t typed in to denote anger?  Interesting.  Anytime anyone donates a huge chunk of their salary it is noteworthy.

    • #58
  29. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    I’ll praise Trump if the economy grows at a 3% rate.

    I’ll cherish him if it stays there.

    • #59
  30. Chris Campion Coolidge
    Chris Campion
    @ChrisCampion

    Sweezle (View Comment):
    The MSM still hasn’t acknowledged this. Quelle surprise.

    They have.  They just acknowledge it while wailing about cuts to the National Park Service.  On Facebook.  Because they don’t like Trump.

    But apparently they love 20 trillion in debt and median household incomes in the crapper for 8 years.

    • #60
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