President Trump complained about the “phony Emoluments Clause” while defending his decision to host next year’s G7 summit at his Doral resort.
"You people with this phony emoluments clause," Trump complained to reporters, citing a very not phony part of the US Constitution that prohibits the president from accepting money or gifts from foreign governments.
Trump also blamed Democrats, even though NBC News reports that Republican backlash caused the president to scrap the plan.
"The Democrats went crazy, even though I would have done it free, saved the country a lot of money," Trump said. "Then they say, 'Oh, but you'll get promotion.' Who cares? You don't think I get enough promotion? I get more promotion than any human being that's ever lived."
“It would've been the greatest G-7 ever,” Trump claimed. “I don't think it will be as exciting. I don't think it will be as good. It's going to cost the country a fortune.”
The Emoluments Clause is very real:
The Foreign Emoluments Clause can be found in Article I, Section 9, Paragraph 8 of the Constitution.
"No Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], 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,” it says.
The domestic Emoluments Clause also bars the president from receiving money from any government entity other than an annual salary.
"The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them,” it says.
Trump claims Obama Netflix deal is the same as his G7 plan:
Trump cited Obama’s deal with Netflix as an example of others allegedly profiting from their presidency.
“He has a deal with Netflix. When did they start talking about that?” Trump asked reporters. “That’s only a couple of examples.”
The Obamas got a Netflix deal after leaving the White House, not three years into his first term.
