Menendez Warns Trump Against Using his Golf Resort to Host G7 Summit

“A global summit should not be used to generate profits for the President or his family, or as a branding exercise”

WASHINGTON – Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today sent a letter to President Trump stating his opposition to the decision announced by White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to host next year’s G7 summit at one of Trump’s own properties, potentially allowing his companies to profit from an official United States government event.

“At a time when the U.S. role as a global leader is hanging by a thread—marred by your actions with regard to Ukraine, Syria, and weaponizing U.S. foreign assistance as a tool for your own political gain, what we need now is to restore confidence in global leadership, not undermine it,” wrote Menendez. “I urge to not proceed with holding the G7 at a property that would benefit you and your family personally, and would only further erode U.S. leadership and anti-corruption efforts around the world.”

Since President Trump took office, representatives of 22 different foreign governments have spent money at Trump Organization properties, including hosting and attending events, renting or purchasing property, and staying at Trump hotels. The State Department has estimated that it will need at least $10 million to secure a G7 site location and for related costs, and past G7 summits have cost upwards of $40 million.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and below:

Dear President Trump:

I write with dismay that you have not exercised better judgment about the site selection for the 2020 G7 summit. The hosting of the summit in the United States next year is an opportunity to showcase American global leadership—including on governance, transparency, and anti-corruption. 

At a time when the U.S. role as a global leader is hanging by a thread—marred by your actions with regard to Ukraine, Syria, and weaponizing U.S. foreign assistance as a tool for your own political gain—what we need now is to restore confidence in global leadership, not undermine it. 

The G7 is a chance to bring together world leaders to tackle critical issues on the international agenda. A global summit should not be used to generate profits for the President or his family, or as a branding exercise. 

Since you have become president, representatives of 22 foreign governments have spent money at Trump Organization properties, including hosting and attending events, renting or purchasing property, and staying at Trump hotels. The State Department has estimated that it will need at least $10 million to secure a G7 site location and for related costs, and past G7 summits have cost upwards of $40 million, if not more. 

The United States must model governance that promotes transparency and is free from undue influence. This was precisely the intent behind the prohibition in our constitution against federal office holders accepting emoluments from foreign states without first obtaining the affirmative consent of Congress. 

Further, under no circumstances should the Russian Federation be allowed back into the G8 until President Putin addresses the circumstances that led to its expulsion, including the illegal occupation of Crimea and ongoing Kremlin aggression in eastern Ukraine.

I urge you to not proceed with holding the G7 at a property that would benefit you and your family personally, and would only further erode U.S. leadership and anti-corruption efforts around the world.