President Trump says he received money from China and Saudi Arabia for doing ‘services’

Former President Donald Trump defended his businesses that accept payments from foreign governments during a Fox News town hall Wednesday. The comments come after House Oversight Committee Democrats revealed on Jan. 4 that the former president received at least $7.8 million in payments from foreign governments and entities controlled by them, including China and Saudi Arabia, while in office. This was issued in response to the report.

“It’s a small amount. It may sound like a lot of money, but it’s a small amount,” President Trump said during the event. He went on to explain that the government paid for his hotel and club accommodation. “I was performing a service for them. People were staying in these huge hotels, these beautiful hotels,” Trump said. “You don’t get $8 million to do nothing.” he added. Democrats on the Oversight Committee reported that Trump’s companies raised money from at least 20 countries “from the People’s Republic of China to Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaysia, Albania, and Kosovo.” It was used “often lavishly.” Stay at his hotels or his apartments in Washington, Las Vegas, and New York.

Lawmakers say accepting these payments was unconstitutional. “President Trump never sought or received Congressional approval to maintain these foreign payments as required by the Constitution,” the report said. Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination, has been charged with 91 criminal charges in two state and federal lawsuits, including falsifying business records and interfering with elections.