Here is a small excerpt from Lebensborn, the second book in the Addlestone Chronicles trilogy.
Louise said, “I actually read both volumes of Mein Kampf on my European tour in 1934. Even then, the book was available everywhere in shops and now has been made required reading for every child in German schools. You won’t be surprised to learn, Hitler receives royalties on every book sold. This is political corruption on a grand scale. It’s effectively a government-mandated subsidy payable directly into his personal bank account. Obviously, these payments are solely and directly attributable to his dual positions of President and Chancellor. Quite frankly, as presently enforced, this wouldn’t be possible in the United States. In their Constitution, The Emoluments Clause, makes it an impeachable offence for a President to receive gifts, emoluments, or directly profit from his title or office.”
Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the US Constitution states, “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
Obviously, Trump never sought consent of Congress. It has been estimated that former President Trump alone benefitted directly to the tune of $160 million while his children and their spouses, as part of his government, also benefitted substantially from overseas deals. For example, Jared and Ivanka made up to $640 million while Trump was in the White House. It has been further estimated that Trump’s businesses made $2.4 billion during his four year term in office. In late 2020, the US Supreme Court considered three pending cases brought against the then sitting President concerning alleged violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause and the Domestic Emoluments Clause. In one case they denied a lower court review and in two others dismissed the cases as moot.
To avoid conflicts of interest it has been the usual practice for Presidents to place their business interests in ‘blind trusts’. Jimmy Carter sold his beloved peanut farm before he took office to avoid any possible financial conflicts or accusations of impropriety.
How times have changed.