President Trump accused Democrats and the media on Saturday of going “crazy” over his administration’s announcement that an upcoming Group of Seven (G-7) nations meeting would be held at his resort in Miami.
In a pair of tweets, Trump addressed criticism of acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney’s announcement this week that the meeting of world leaders would be held at the Trump National Doral Miami resort.
{mosads}I thought I was doing something very good for our Country by using Trump National Doral, in Miami, for hosting the G-7 Leaders. It is big, grand, on hundreds of acres, next to MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, has tremendous ballrooms & meeting rooms, and each delegation would have its own 50 to 70 unit building. Would set up better than other alternatives,” Trump tweeted.
“I announced that I would be willing to do it at NO PROFIT or, if legally permissible, at ZERO COST to the USA. But, as usual, the Hostile Media & their Democrat Partners went CRAZY!” he added.
Trump’s remarks come despite the announcement facing criticism from members of his own party as well, including both of his announced 2020 primary challengers, former Gov. Bill Weld (R-Mass.) and former Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.).
The announcement has added new fire to the fight in Congress over whether Trump’s business interests in Florida and elsewhere constitute violations of the Emoluments Clause, a constitutional provision which bars the president from accepting gifts or payments from foreign countries, U.S. states or the federal government.
Democrats and government watchdogs have argued that Trump’s businesses regularly violate the constitution by accepting patronage from domestic political organizations and foreign officials.