Trump charity stepped up 2016 giving amid campaign scrutiny
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump sharply increased the amount of money he gave away through his foundation last year as the charity drew scrutiny during the campaign.
A 2016 tax return posted on the non-profit monitoring website GuideStar shows that the Donald J. Trump Foundation gave away $3.1 million, more than it did in the prior three years combined. Most of that money came from a fundraiser for veterans held by Trump early last year.
Trump drew criticism during the campaign after news organizations raised questions about his foundation’s use of funds and reported that he often did not follow through on promised donations.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman launched an investigation into the foundation last year after reports that Trump used the charity to settle lawsuits, made an illegal $25,000 political contribution to a group supporting Florida’s attorney general, and purchased items such as a painting of himself that was displayed at one of his properties. A tax return made public after the election showed the foundation itself admitted to violating IRS regulations.