Official updates from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics or legislative records

Trump Bypasses Donor Transparency Rules, Allowing Anonymous Contributions and Foreign Nationals to Donate

Nov 24, 2024, 05:53 PM

Donald Trump has become the first president-elect to bypass established restrictions on donor transparency during his transition period. This allows individuals to contribute directly to his transition team without disclosing their identities or potential conflicts of interest. Unlike campaign contributions, foreign nationals are permitted to donate to the transition. Critics have raised concerns about Trump's lack of compliance with ethics agreements, which typically require disclosure of funding sources. His transition team is reportedly funded by undisclosed donors, raising alarms among ethics advocates who argue this could lead to increased corruption in his administration. Previous incoming presidents have adhered to transparency norms, which Trump is currently sidestepping, prompting calls for accountability from lawmakers and governance advocates.