A $2 trillion stimulus bill, designed to rescue the U.S. economy from the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, includes measures to block President Donald Trump and his family from personally benefiting from federal relief funds. However, detailed examination of the legislation reveals that businesses tied to Trump and his family could still qualify for some government support.
Lawmakers pushed the sweeping relief package through the Senate, with a vote in the House expected soon. Democrats inserted provisions to prevent Trump, who has maintained financial interests in his businesses during his presidency, from using federal aid to bolster his hotels or clubs.
Despite these restrictions, watchdog groups say loopholes remain. The 880-page bill contains language that could allow Trump-owned companies to receive assistance meant for broader sectors of the economy.
“While they still may benefit from parts of this bill, on first read it appears only in ways that would benefit many others,” said Jordan Libowitz, spokesperson for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), after reviewing the legislation.
The relief package offers small-business loans to hotel owners with thousands of employees, a provision that could help the Trump Organization continue paying staff. Additionally, changes to the tax code—valued at $15 billion—could also benefit the company’s retail and hospitality businesses.
Six of the Trump Organization’s most profitable properties, including Mar-a-Lago in Florida and hotels in Las Vegas, Ireland, and Scotland, have shut down due to virus-related restrictions. Others, like the Washington D.C. hotel near the White House, remain open but with reduced operations.
Trump handed daily management of his company to his sons when he took office but did not divest from his holdings. Asked whether his businesses would seek federal help, Trump said, “I don’t know. I just don’t know what the government assistance would be for what I have. I have hotels. Everybody knew I had hotels when I got elected”.
