Posted on 01/28/2016 1:19:00 PM PST by conservativejoy
Rather than going directly to veterans groups, 100% of online donations on Trump's pro-veterans site will go directly to Trump's personal foundation.
After ducking the final Republican presidential debate heading into next week's Iowa caucuses, GOP front-runner Donald Trump announced that he would hold his own pro-veterans event during the debate to raise money for veterans. Trump even set up a special website to solicit donations to help veterans.
"Honor their valor," the website, donaldtrumpforvets.com, states. "Donate now to help our Veterans."
The website, which is nothing more than a single page with stock photos and a credit card donation form, claims that "100% of your donations will go directly to Veterans needs."
There's only one problem: 100% of the money raised on the site goes directly to Donald Trump's personal non-profit foundation, according to a disclosure listed at the bottom of the page.
"The Donald J Trump Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization," the disclosure reads. "An email confirmation with a summary of your donation will be sent to the email address provided above."
Trump Non Profit Vets
Confirmation e-mails sent to individuals who contributed via the website confirm that rather than going directly to veterans, all contributions made from the site go directly to Donald Trump's personal foundation.
"The Donald J Trump Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and acknowledges that no goods or services were provided to you in return for your contribution," the confirmation e-mail states. "This letter is your receipt and should be kept with your tax records."
A separate confirmation page that loads after donations are made on the site contains the same language noting that the contribution was made to the Donald J Trump Foundation, not to a distinct veterans organization with a history of directly supporting veterans and their families.
According to the domain registry information for Trump's site, the domain was not registered until Thursday morning. The firm that registered the domain, Florida-based Parscale Media, also designed Trump's official presidential campaign website.
Trump's personal non-profit foundation, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, does not have a history of donating much money to veterans or to veterans' causes. According to a recent analysis of the organization's spending history by the Weekly Standard, Trump's non-profit donated more money to the Clinton Foundation than it did to veterans causes.
Between 2009 and 2013, Trump's non-profit donated between $100,001 and $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation. Over the same period of time, Trump's group gave only $57,000 to veterans groups. A 2015 analysis by Forbes noted that barely 1 percent of the Donald J. Trump Foundation's $5.5 million worth of donations betwen 2009 and 2013 went to organizations that support military veterans:
The Donald J. Trump Foundation has donated $5.5 million to 298 charities between 2009 and 2013 (the most recent year available), according to the non-profit's 990 tax forms from those years. Of that, only $57,000 has been donated to seven organizations that directly benefit military veterans or their families, Forbes found. Wounded Warriors was not among the organizations Trump's foundation gave to in that time period.
Forbes also found that Trump, who we estimate is worth $4.5 billion, has not made personal contributions to his foundation during the same time period. We reached out to his spokespeople for comment, but did not hear back before publishing.
Trump made waves last July when he attacked Sen. John McCain, a Vietnam prisoner of war who was imprisoned for years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton torture camp, for being captured by enemy troops.
"I don't like losers," Trump said during an event moderated by GOP focus group guru Frank Luntz. Trump was referring to McCain.
But he's a war hero," moderator Frank Luntz interjected. "He's a war hero!"
"He's not a 'war hero,'" Trump responded. "He's a 'war hero' because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured, okay? I hate to tell you."
Someone should sue Trump for false advertising.
Maybe he donates through his foundation?
I don’t think he wants their money and probably it takes time to create an alternative foundation.
Absolutely makes sense!
He can make sure the donations go directly to the vets, instead of through a middle man who might keep (their cut) of the funds.
You can count on Trump making sure the funds are equally divided.
I am glad actually. I think this is smart of Trump because I think right now with Wounded Warriors being questioned on their practices. Trump taking time to investigate which group to give the money to and ensure the donations go to those who need it is a great thing.
Trump is brilliant and will ensure the money goes to the right organization.
God Bless Trump. President Trump will make our country great again.
And?
I'll NEVER be able to vote for Donald Trump, now!
In the past, only a small fraction of the donations from Trumps foundation have gone to veterans. Hopefully, this money will at least be kept separate so that it ultimately goes to veterans.
Yeah, he’s stealing the money.
So what, it is going to the vets? Wounded warriors keeps most for the bosses.
You Cruz folks should not throw stones. Ted has a bad history with ethics in his finances.
Really? Seriously?
I didn't think anyone could damage Ted Cruz's image more than Glenn Beck. But, on this board at least, you take the cake.
You are a deluded nutjob.
The non-biting gnats.
I don't even read your articles. I just post that I'll never be able to vote for Donald Trump, AGAIN.
Okay, if you feel that strongly about it, why don’t you file suit?
You felt the need to post all that crap just to inform us of what is completely obvious to anyone visiting the site?
Get a different hobby.
Trump will take a cut for expenses. Count on it.
No DUH non-issue, Of course it will not go to any one veterans group, The issue is 100 % is distributed to veterans groups, What a Stretch to make an issue out of a clearing house.
I’m sure he couldn’t get a 501C set up in time. This is much ado about nothing!
Thank you so much. I was able to donate easily because of you. I gave 50 and maybe tonight during the show I will give more. You are the best.
I WANT TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS
100% of your donations will go directly to Veterans needs
OVER $130,000 RAISED TODAY
Thank You
Your donation has been accepted. Thank you for your support.
The Donald J Trump Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and acknowledges that no goods or services were provided to you in return for your contribution.
An email confirmation with your receipt will be sent to you and should be kept with your tax records. The Internal Revenue Service no longer accepts your canceled check as proof of any donation of $250 or more. The charitable deduction may be disallowed if you are unable to provide this acknowledgment to the Internal Revenue Service upon request.
Yeah, Melania needs some walking-around money.
Are you people insane?
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