The New York Times reports that Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt privately recorded his intentions to give Donald Trump money in order to advance his business interests in the United States. Pratt wrote, “If Potus is having his election party at mar Lago I’ll book as many rooms as available,” because doing so would not only help Trump win the election but also “be good for business.”

The Times reports that, according to witness testimony to federal prosecutors, Pratt “spent $1 million to attend the party, well in excess of the normal charge.” That is to say, Pratt was not merely indulging himself in amenities offered by Trump’s private club but consciously using those payments as a vehicle to pay Trump directly.

While there is no evidence this alleged scheme violates any criminal statute, the colloquial term for this behavior is bribery.

Meanwhile, House Republicans are continuing to circulate allegations that President Biden was connected to his son Hunter’s influence-peddling business. Representative James Comer has made a series of uncorroborated allegations that the conservative media have uncritically promoted, insinuating that Joe Biden personally benefited from his son’s business. Republicans have produced communications between Hunter Biden and his father, which might be expected between a father and a son, but no clear evidence that Joe Biden received any payments stemming from Hunter’s work.

They are attempting, so far without success, to show Biden did what Donald Trump is proven to have done.

  • frezik@midwest.social
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    1 year ago

    Did you give McDonald’s money in exchange for a burger? You’re guilty of quid pro quo.

    Words have meaning, and quid pro quo is not inherently illegal.

    • cricket97@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Uhh i’m obviously talking about in the context of politics. I know you think you said something smart but you didn’t.

      • frezik@midwest.social
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        1 year ago

        And it still doesn’t matter. No matter if you or I think it should be otherwise, bribery laws are quite narrow in this country.