(PresidentialWire.com)- After the New York Times published a report on the Trump family’s post-presidential money-making endeavors, Florida officials are investigating whether an event to raise money for foster children featuring former First Lady Melania Trump broke the state’s charity laws.
In January, Mrs. Trump issued a press release saying she was the guest of honor at a “high tea” in Naples, Florida in April where proceeds would go to the “Be Best” campaign she began as First Lady.
“Fostering the Future,” the group poised to benefit from the April event is described as providing computer science scholarship grants to children leaving the foster care system.
However, “Fostering the Future” is not listed in Florida’s public charities database.
The New York Times reported that the Florida Consumer Services Division confirmed that it was investigating whether this event “involves a group that is operating in violation of Chapter 496 of Florida statutes.
According to Chapter 496, anyone soliciting charitable donations from the public must disclose their identity and the purpose of the fundraising. They must also be registered with the state.
After the New York Times published its report, Melania Trump disputed the claims on Twitter, accusing the Times of “dishonest reporting.” She said everything was done lawfully and “all documents are in the works.”
Mrs. Trump said that the donor-advised fund, the Bradley Impact Fund was working with her group “to select charities that will receive the donations to foster children.”
Of course, the media was quick to point out that the Bradley Impact Fund also donated money to groups that “promoted” former President Trump’s “conspiracy theories.” Media outlets are also noting that neither “Be Best” nor Mrs. Trump had ever mentioned the Bradley Impact Fund was involved until after the New York Times report. The promotional materials for the “Tulips and Topiaries” high tea event also made no mention of the Bradley Impact Fund either.
According to the New York Times, tickets for the “Tulips and Topiaries” event include VIP packages for $50,000. The portion of the proceeds going to charity is not disclosed.
