Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party. Many of his supporters tout his expertise in business as proof that he is qualified to be leader of the free world. However, others accuse The Donald of not paying what he owes:
Donald Trump often portrays himself as a savior of the working class who will “protect your job.” But a USA TODAY NETWORK analysis found he has been involved in more than 3,500 lawsuits over the past three decades — and a large number of those involve ordinary Americans, like the Friels, who say Trump or his companies have refused to pay them.
At least 60 lawsuits, along with hundreds of liens, judgments, and other government filings reviewed by the USA TODAY NETWORK, document people who have accused Trump and his businesses of failing to pay them for their work. Among them: a dishwasher in Florida. A glass company in New Jersey. A carpet company. A plumber. Painters. Forty-eight waiters. Dozens of bartenders and other hourly workers at his resorts and clubs, coast to coast. Real estate brokers who sold his properties. And, ironically, several law firms that once represented him in these suits and others.
Trump’s companies have also been cited for 24 violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act since 2005 for failing to pay overtime or minimum wage, according to U.S. Department of Labor data. That includes 21 citations against the defunct Trump Plaza in Atlantic City and three against the also out-of-business Trump Mortgage LLC in New York. Both cases were resolved by the companies agreeing to pay back wages.
Now, any businessman with perceived deep pockets will inevitably pick up some lawsuits. However, the fact that his businesses have also been cited for similar offenses lends credibility to those lawsuits. Couple this with the accusation that a large portion of the money raised by the Trump campaign for veterans’ groups still hasn’t been received, and it raises more than a few eyebrows.
Supporters have taken to social media to defend their savior, noting that Trump didn’t personally write checks at his companies. Well, he’s the captain of the ship. He’s responsible for what goes on in his companies, just like any other CEO.
It’s not like he can’t afford to pay the bills, based on his claimed net worth.
He has stated he doesn’t need to have expertise in governing because he’d get “the best people.” With these allegations, how can voters take this claim seriously?
Decent accountants are easier to find than top-flight political operatives, after all.
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