Yeah dippy, that’s how business and donations work. You don’t get something for nothing. This only magnifies your complete ignorance
If as you say that's how business and donations work, then by your definition, this makes these businesses' donations for the White House ballroom grants, and not tax-deductible gifts to a non-profit.
grants are always reciprocal in nature. Each party is giving and receiving something of relatively equal value in the transaction. Whereas, gifts or contributions are given by a donor who expects nothing significant of value in return, other than recognition and disposition of the gift in accordance with the donor’s wishes. Furthermore, U.S. Government (state or federal) money
should always be treated as a grant.
Trump claims he is paying the $300 million for the ballroom. He has also said corporations are donating money for the ballroom. Which is it? If they are giving the money to Trump to use to pay for the ballroom, this is not only unethical it is also not legal. In fact it may be considered bribery. U.S. Presidents are subject to the bribery and illegal gratuities law which prohibits the receipt of a gift or of anything of value when that receipt, or the agreement to receive such thing of value, is connected in some way to the performance (or nonperformance) of an official act.
Regardless of how one sees it, this issue is an ethical nightmare.
