White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended President Donald Trump as reporters questioned if his upcoming trip to the Middle East is related to the business dealings with the Trump Organization.
“Will any of the president's family members be joining him?” one reporter asked
“I am not tracking any of the president's family members, but the first family is welcome to come," she responded.
"I hope they would, they are great to be around. But I am not tracking them.”
“You noted he's a successful businessman. Does he have any plans to meet with any of the folks involved with any of the family businesses over there or see any of the sites?” the reporter pressed.
“Not to my knowledge,” Leavitt said. “Let me get to the premise of your question that both of you have raised. It is ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit."
Leavitt went on to say, "He left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service. Not just once, but twice. The American public reelected him back to the White House because they trust he acts in the best interest of our country and putting the American public first. This is a president who has lost money for being president.”
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She then deflected, “I don't remember these same questions being asked of my predecessor about a career politician who is clearly profiting off of this office. That is not what President Trump does, and this White House holds ourselves to the highest of ethical standards.”
Leavitt's comments echoed those of White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
On Monday, the New York Times scrutinized The Trump Organization’s international business dealings.
The outlet noted both Trump sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have recently had trips abroad.
Kelly issued a statement to the Times, which said there are no ethics issues with Trump's Middle East trip because the sons run the businesses. “The president’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. There are no conflicts of interest," he said.
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