Donald Trump says he had 'nothing' to do with Mike Pence and Air Force staying at his resorts

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump delivers a speech as he officially opens his Trump Turnberry hotel and golf resort in Turnberry.
AFP/Getty Images
Rebecca Speare-Cole9 September 2019

Donald Trump today insisted he had "nothing" to do with both US Vice President Mike Pence and a US Air Force crew staying at his resorts.

On Friday, Democrats in the House of Representatives launched an investigation into Mr Pence's stay at a hotel owned by Mr Trump during a visit to Ireland last week.

And the Air Force has reportedly ordered a review after it emerged that crew members stayed at the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland.

It comes as the president is investigated over a potential conflict of interest involving increased US military spending at Glasgow Prestwick Airport and visits to the luxury resort in Ayrshire.

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump denied he knew anything about the two visits.

He wrote: "I know nothing about an Air Force plane landing at an airport (which I do not own and have nothing to do with) near Turnberry Resort (which I do own) in Scotland, and filling up with fuel, with the crew staying overnight at Turnberry (they have good taste!). NOTHING TO DO WITH ME."

Last week, Mr Pence drew fire from Democrats when he stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg on the Irish west coast, though it was 300km away from his meetings in the capital, Dublin.

Elijah Cummings, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to the White House, Trump Organisation, US Secret Service and the Vice President's Office seeking documents on the visit by September 19.

Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Doonbeg last week.
PA

Mr Cummings referenced media reports that point out how the golf club had been a "problematic investment" for Trump's company and had not been profitable in years.

"The Committee does not believe that US taxpayer funds should be used to personally enrich President Trump, his family, and his companies," Mr Cummings wrote.

Mr Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, told journalists that Mr Trump had suggested Mr Pence stay at the property, but the president has now denied being involved in the decision.

The Trump International Golf resort near the village of Doonbeg in Ireland. (File photo)
AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile, air force chiefs have reportedly launched the review into how they choose accommodation for international trips.

According to a statement published by Politico, officials have "directed Air Mobility Command to review all guidance pertaining to selection of airports and lodging accommodations during international travel".

Over the weekend it emerged that crew from a C-17 shared by the USAF and the Alaska Air National Guard stayed at Trump Turnberry when the aircraft stopped at Prestwick en route to Kuwait.

The Trump Turnberry hotel and golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland.
AFP/Getty Images

In the statement published by Politico, the USAF said: "While initial reviews indicate that aircrew transiting through Scotland adhered to all guidance and procedures, we understand that US Service members lodging at higher-end accommodations, even if within government rates, might be allowable but not advisable.

"Therefore, we are reviewing all associated guidance.

"Even when USAF aircrews follow all directives and guidance, we must still be considerate of perceptions of not being good stewards of taxpayer funds that might be created through the appearance of aircrew staying at such locations (review will include active duty, Guard Reserve)."

The USAF said its aircraft, primarily C-17s, have increasingly used Prestwick as a stopover location between 2015 and 2019 due to factors such as its 24-hour operations, its large parking area and its location on the route of flights to and from Europe and the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump plays a round of golf on the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry.
AFP/Getty Images

US congress has launched a probe into whether increasing expenditure at the airport and allegations of cut-price deals at Mr Trump's Ayrshire golf resort offered to visiting US military personnel is a violation of the American constitution.

Following reports of the airport offering "cut-price rooms for select passengers and crew" and free rounds of golf at Turnberry for US military staff and civilian air crews, Mr Trump has been warned his financial stake in the resort raises questions about the increase in airport spending.

A separate investigation has also been launched into the White House's decision to host next year's Group of Seven economic summit at his resort in Florida.

Last month during the G7 meeting in France, Mr Trump said his administration was considering hosting the summit at his Miami-area golf resort but insisted he would not personally profit from hosting the event.

He has remained in control of his hotels, golf courses and other businesses, though he said he handed over day-to-day operations to his sons before taking office in January 2017.

Watchdog groups and former government ethics officials say Mr Trump has not put safeguards in place to make sure he does not directly profit from actions taken as president, as past presidents have done.

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