Editorial boards from Massachusetts to Florida are sounding the alarm and calling for an investigation into the “true pay-to-play scandal” between Donald Trump and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Last week, The Washington Post revealed that Donald Trump’s Foundation violated federal tax law by donating to a group supporting Bondi’s reelection. Days after the donation, Bondi chose not to join an investigation into Trump University ripping off its students. If elected, one editorial board concluded, Trump would become America’s “briber-in-chief” and will continue to hustle the American people from the White House.
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New York Daily News Editorial: Briber-in-chief: How Donald Trump gave big money to Pam Bondi, who then stopped investigating Trump University
“A true pay-to-play scandal centering on a charitable foundation, rather than manufactured innuendo, has erupted in the rancid presidential campaign. The payer and the player is that admitted buyer of politicians Donald Trump.”
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New York Times Editorial: Pay to Play, Mr. Trump?
“Mr. Trump’s contribution from his family foundation to Ms. Bondi violated federal tax law barring tax-exempt charities from engaging in political activity. The Washington Post reported last week that Mr. Trump paid a $2,500 penalty to the Internal Revenue Service for the violation.”
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Washington Post Editorial: The Pam Bondi case shows Trump is more hustler than businessman
“If Donald Trump were treated like an ordinary presidential candidate, the speculations swirling around an illegal donation his charitable foundation gave to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) might dog his campaign from now until Election Day. The situation smells of influence-buying. Even if one takes Ms. Bondi’s explanations seriously, the facts already on the record are damning.”
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Tampa Bay Times Editorial: Feds should investigate Bondi-Trump connection
“Federal prosecutors should investigate whether there is any connection between the decision by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office not to pursue fraud allegations against Trump University and a $25,000 campaign contribution he gave her. Since Florida prosecutors will not touch this mess, the Justice Department is the only option. The appearance of something more than a coincidence is too serious and the unresolved questions are too numerous to accept blanket denials by Bondi and Trump without more digging and an independent review.”
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Miami Herald Editorial: Donald Trump’s gift to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi deserves a closer look
“What attracted far less attention than the numerous stories about the Clinton/Foundation connection was news disclosed by the Washington Post that Donald Trump paid a penalty to the IRS involving a $25,000 gift by the Trump Foundation. The recipient was a political committee called And Justice for All controlled by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. As a registered nonprofit, the Trump Foundation was not allowed to make political donations. The gift violated federal regulations.”
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Boston Globe: Trump’s Bondi donation is not nothing
“Trump has slammed Hillary Clinton about potential conflicts of interest involving Clinton Foundation donors when she was secretary of state…But there is no indication that the Clinton Foundation has misreported donations or made illegal political contributions.”
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Sun Sentinel Editorial: Public deserves facts in Bondi-Trump controversy
“Spin it any way you want, Donald Trump’s contribution to a political committee backing Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has a bad odor.”
