Melania Trump's £200,000 speech fee sparks ethical concerns
According to Donald Trump's financial report, obtained by CNN, Melania Trump received a payment of nearly £200,000 for a single speech during a fundraiser for an organisation affiliated with the Republican Party.
Melania Trump participated in two events this year that raised funds for the Log Cabin Republicans, a conservative organization affiliated with the Republican Party that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. For her speech in April, the former first lady received £200,000, reports CNN.
CNN emphasises that the report indicates that it was a payment for the speech, but it is unclear who actually covered this amount. Charles Moran, president of Log Cabin Republicans, told CNN in September that the organisation did not pay for Trump's speech, and the report did not provide additional information on the payment source.
"Unusual move" by Melania Trump
Campaign finance and ethics experts consider the payment for the speech to be a "very unusual move" for the wife of a presidential candidate, raising ethical concerns and needing to be properly recorded in the financial report.
If Log Cabin Republicans did not pay Melania Trump, this could suggest an "ethical violation," as the report should list the sponsors, not just the venue for the speech, CNN's Virginia Canter, ethics advisor at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, which monitors political activities, said.
CNN points out that other U.S. first ladies – Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush – never received payments for speeches during campaign-related fundraisers. However, people close to Melania Trump argue that she has the right to decide how she spends her time and can receive compensation for her engagement.
Although her husband is running for president again, Melania Trump does not participate in his rallies or other public appearances. American media noted that she appeared - but did not speak - only at the July Republican Party convention.
