Trump’s Financial Conflicts of Interest Endanger Public Health
Statement of Dr. Michael Carome, Director, Public Citizen’s Health Research Group
Note: At a White House press conference Monday, President Donald Trump announced that he may soon roll back federal guidelines on social distancing that are intended to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. The Washington Post has reported that Trump’s “private business has shut down six of its top seven revenue-producing clubs and hotels because of restrictions meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, potentially depriving Trump’s company of millions of dollars in revenue.”
Since the beginning of Trump’s presidency, widespread concerns have been raised about the dangers posed by the financial conflicts of interest involving Trump and his administration.
With the country now facing an unprecedented public health crisis, the American people cannot help but wonder whether Trump’s alarming proposal to ignore the advice of public health experts and soon loosen federal guidelines on social distancing that are intended to save lives and prevent our health care system from collapsing is motivated by his desire to minimize his own personal business financial losses.
These circumstances further highlight why Trump represents a clear and present danger to our country.