Trump’s Inaugural Committee Paid $26 Million to Firm of First Lady’s Adviser
- 6 years ago
Trump’s Inaugural Committee Paid $26 Million to Firm of First Lady’s Adviser
Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump, said
that the first lady “had no involvement” with the inaugural committee, “and had no knowledge of how funds were spent.”
Ms. Winston Wolkoff is not paid for her work in the first lady’s office, according to Ms.
Grisham, who said Ms. Winston Wolkoff is classified as “a special government employee.”
Much of the money paid to Ms. Winston Wolkoff’s firm
and other event production companies likely was passed through to other vendors who provided goods or services on a subcontractor basis.
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s inaugural committee paid nearly $26 million to an event planning firm started by an adviser to the first
lady, Melania Trump, while donating $5 million — less than expected — to charity, according to tax filings released on Thursday.
Mr. Barrack, a California investor, in a statement released by the committee with the tax return, praised the committee for carrying out the inauguration
and more than 20 related events with “elegance and seamless excellence without incident or interruption, befitting the legacy and tradition that has preceded us.”
The inaugural committee closed out October with $2.8 million in the bank, according to the tax filing.
The tax return indicated that the committee already donated to six nonprofit groups, and inaugural officials pointed out
that the $5 million in total charitable donations to those groups was more than Mr. Obama’s committee donated.
Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump, said
that the first lady “had no involvement” with the inaugural committee, “and had no knowledge of how funds were spent.”
Ms. Winston Wolkoff is not paid for her work in the first lady’s office, according to Ms.
Grisham, who said Ms. Winston Wolkoff is classified as “a special government employee.”
Much of the money paid to Ms. Winston Wolkoff’s firm
and other event production companies likely was passed through to other vendors who provided goods or services on a subcontractor basis.
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s inaugural committee paid nearly $26 million to an event planning firm started by an adviser to the first
lady, Melania Trump, while donating $5 million — less than expected — to charity, according to tax filings released on Thursday.
Mr. Barrack, a California investor, in a statement released by the committee with the tax return, praised the committee for carrying out the inauguration
and more than 20 related events with “elegance and seamless excellence without incident or interruption, befitting the legacy and tradition that has preceded us.”
The inaugural committee closed out October with $2.8 million in the bank, according to the tax filing.
The tax return indicated that the committee already donated to six nonprofit groups, and inaugural officials pointed out
that the $5 million in total charitable donations to those groups was more than Mr. Obama’s committee donated.