Fact Check: Trump ran a fake charity that was also shut down

Claim Analysis: "Trump ran a fake charity that was also shut down"

1. Introduction

The claim that "Trump ran a fake charity that was also shut down" refers to the controversies surrounding the Trump Foundation, which was established by Donald Trump. Allegations have surfaced regarding the misuse of charitable funds, leading to legal actions and the eventual dissolution of the foundation. This article examines the available evidence surrounding these claims, focusing on the foundation's activities, legal outcomes, and the implications of these findings.

2. What We Know

• Foundation Misconduct: The Trump Foundation was accused of engaging in illegal activities, including using charitable funds for personal and political purposes. In 2019, the New York Attorney General announced that Trump had to pay $2 million for misusing charitable funds, which included expenses unrelated to charity, such as purchasing sports memorabilia and settling legal claims against his businesses 136.
• Shutdown of the Foundation: The Trump Foundation was officially shut down in December 2018 as part of a settlement agreement with the New York Attorney General's office. The foundation's remaining assets were to be distributed to approved charities 49.
• Legal Findings: The lawsuit against the Trump Foundation alleged that it had operated in violation of state and federal laws, including making improper political contributions and engaging in self-dealing 510. The court found that Trump and his children had mismanaged the foundation, leading to a court order for its dissolution 78.
• Settlement Terms: As part of the settlement, Trump admitted to misusing funds and agreed to restrictions on future charitable activities, including mandatory training for his children involved in the foundation 67.

3. Analysis

The sources cited provide a mix of legal documentation, news reports, and expert commentary, which helps to paint a comprehensive picture of the Trump Foundation's operations and the subsequent legal actions taken against it.

• Source Reliability:

  • The New York Attorney General's press release 1 is a primary source that outlines the legal findings and penalties imposed on Trump. As a government document, it is generally reliable but may carry a bias against Trump due to the nature of the legal actions.
  • News organizations like the Associated Press 3 and BBC 4 provide coverage of the events surrounding the foundation's shutdown. These outlets are generally considered credible, but their framing of the story may reflect editorial biases.
  • Mother Jones 6 and NBC News 8 offer investigative reporting on the foundation's activities. While they are reputable sources, they may have a progressive bias, which could influence their interpretation of the events.

• Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those with strong political leanings, may have an agenda that colors their reporting. For instance, outlets that are critical of Trump may emphasize negative aspects of the foundation's activities more than others.

• Methodological Concerns: The allegations of fraud and misuse of funds are based on legal findings and documented evidence, which lends credibility to the claims. However, the interpretation of these findings can vary significantly among different sources. Further, the term "fake charity" is subjective and may not be legally defined, complicating the discourse around the foundation's legitimacy.

• Additional Information Needed: To fully understand the implications of the Trump Foundation's activities, it would be beneficial to have access to the complete court documents detailing the allegations, the foundation's financial records, and any independent audits that may have been conducted.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "Trump ran a fake charity that was also shut down" is substantiated by evidence indicating that the Trump Foundation engaged in illegal activities, including misusing charitable funds for personal and political purposes. The foundation was officially dissolved in December 2018 as part of a settlement with the New York Attorney General, during which Trump admitted to misusing funds and agreed to restrictions on future charitable activities.

However, it is important to note that the term "fake charity" is subjective and not legally defined, which may lead to varying interpretations of the foundation's legitimacy. While the evidence from legal findings and credible news sources supports the claim, the framing of the issue can be influenced by political biases.

Additionally, the available evidence primarily comes from legal documents and news reports, which may not capture the full scope of the foundation's activities or the nuances of the legal proceedings. Therefore, while the verdict is "True," readers should remain aware of the complexities surrounding this issue and critically evaluate information from multiple sources.

5. Sources

1. New York Attorney General. "Donald J. Trump Pays Court-Ordered $2 Million For Illegally Using Trump Foundation." Link
2. New York Attorney General. "Trump Organization Properties and Fraudulent Schemes." Link
3. Associated Press. "Judge fines Trump $2 million for misusing charity foundation." Link
4. BBC News. "Donald Trump's troubled charity foundation to shut down." Link
5. The Guardian. "Judge signs off on shutdown of Trump Foundation after '..." Link
6. Mother Jones. "Donald Trump Ordered to Pay $2 Million for Charity Fraud." Link
7. Law & Crime. "Trump Admits Misusing Charity Funds, Settles Lawsuit Against Trump Foundation." Link
8. NBC News. "Trump and his foundation were just forced to admit their fraud now." Link
9. ABC News. "Embattled Trump Foundation forced to shut down after..." Link
10. The Conversation. "The Trump Foundation is shutting down, but the president..." Link