Latest news with #PresidentialLibrary
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats to Intro ‘Presidential Library Anti-Corruption' Bill After Paramount, Disney Lawsuit Settlements With Trump
A group of Democrats in Congress is introducing legislation to close 'loopholes' that allow for unchecked donations to presidential libraries. The new bill comes after Paramount Global and Disney each agreed to pay $16 million to President Donald Trump — with most of the money earmarked for Trump's future presidential library — to settle lawsuits he had filed against the media companies. The bill, the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act of 2025, is spearheaded by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has called Paramount's settlement with Trump tantamount to bribery, alleging the payment represents a quid-pro-quo to secure the administration's approval for the Skydance Media deal. (Paramount, Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr have said the FCC's review of the Skydance transaction is unrelated to Trump's suit against Paramount and CBS.) More from Variety Defeat the Press: How Donald Trump's Attacks on News Outlets Undermine the First Amendment Donald Trump Says Obama, Ex-FBI Director James Comey 'Made Up' the Jeffrey Epstein Files Kevin Spacey Says 'Release the Epstein Files' After Being Cited in Epstein's 2024 Unsealed Court Docs: 'For Those of Us With Nothing to Fear, the Truth Can't Come Soon Enough' In addition to the Paramount and Disney payments toward Trump's presidential library, the Democrats cited Meta's $25 million deal with Trump to settle his lawsuit over the Facebook and Instagram ban on his account after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and a similar $10 million settlement with Elon Musk's X. Most of those funds are also targeted for Trump's presidential library. In addition, Warren called out President Trump's accepting a free Boeing luxury jet valued at $400 million from the government of Qatar, a gift that would subsequently be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office. Trump also reportedly plans to funnel leftover inaugural committee donations from corporations to his presidential library. The Democrats noted that other presidents, including Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, have also faced scrutiny over questionable donations to their libraries while in office. 'Presidential libraries should be monuments to history, not backdoor vehicles for influence,' the Democrats said in a brief outlining the legislation. The Warren-led bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). It's not clear the bill has a chance of getting through the Republican-controlled Congress, as GOP members have shown fealty to President Trump. Warren on Tuesday released an analysis finding that companies 'seeking favorable outcomes from the Trump administration have pledged to funnel at least $63 million into Trump's future presidential library.' Including the $400 million jet from Qatar, the total value of 'gifts flowing into Trump's library' is at least half a billion dollars, Warren claimed. According to the Democrats, unlike donations to presidential campaigns or inaugural committees, there are virtually no restrictions on donations to presidential libraries in U.S. law. Even while still in office, presidents can solicit 'unlimited, undisclosed donations from anyone,' including foreign nationals, lobbyists, federal contractors and corporations with business before federal agencies, for their libraries. The Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act would specifically: Delay fundraising to start after the president leaves office, with a carveout for nonprofits: This would require that presidential libraries wait until a U.S. president leaves office before fundraising or accepting donations, except from 501(c)(3) organizations (mirroring the standard adopted by the Obama Foundation). Establish a contribution cap of $10,000 total for 501(c)(3) organizations that can donate while a president is still in office. Impose a 'cooling-off' period for donations from foreign nationals, lobbyists, contractors, and individuals seeking pardons: For an additional two years after the president leaves office, the legislation would prohibit donations from foreign nationals or foreign governments, registered lobbyists, federal contractors, and individuals seeking presidential pardons. Ban the use of presidential library donations for personal expenses or unrelated financial obligations. Mandate quarterly disclosures: During the president's time in office and for five years after, require all donations of $200 or more to be disclosed to the National Archives each calendar quarter. Publish donor information (including name, employer, and date and amount of the donation) online in a searchable, downloadable format. Prohibit straw donations: Make it illegal to donate in someone else's name or to knowingly allow your name to be used for a straw donation. According to the congressional Democrats, the bill is endorsed by: the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Democracy Defenders Action (DDA), Campaign Legal Center (CLC), Freedom of the Press Foundation, Public Citizen, Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, Demand Progress and the American Governance Institute. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soho Apparel Group Rallies Behind Trump's Made-in-America Agenda, Unveils Aggressive U.S. Manufacturing Expansion
CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., May 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Soho Apparel Group, a leading private-label apparel company and trusted supplier to major U.S. retailers including Nordstrom, Tillys, Marshalls, Ross, Burlington, TJ Maxx, and Dillard's proudly announces its alignment with President Donald J. Trump's agenda to revitalize American manufacturing. Since its founding in 2002, Soho has grown into a cornerstone of the apparel industry, operating from a 300,000-square-foot facility in the City of Industry, California. In a strategic move to bolster domestic production and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, Soho Apparel Group is launching an ambitious expansion plan to increase its U.S.-based manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics operations by 300% by 2026. This initiative will create significant job opportunities for American workers and strengthen the nation's industrial foundation. James Chen, founder of Soho Apparel Group, expressed his enthusiasm: "California was once a powerhouse of American manufacturing, and with President Trump's leadership, we see a clear path to restoring that legacy. We are proud to support the President's vision by bringing production back to the U.S., creating jobs, and contributing to the revival of the American Dream." Limited Time Edition Trump Swag To celebrate this commitment, Soho Apparel Group will launch a limited-edition line of Trump-inspired merchandise, including patriotic socks and fanny packs. All proceeds will go toward supporting the Trump Presidential Library, with more details to follow on our website. View source version on Contacts Sign in to access your portfolio
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Abraham Lincoln's bloodied gloves from night of assassination sold for jaw-dropping price
Treasured artifacts linked to President Abraham Lincoln including blood-stained leather gloves that were in Lincoln's pocket the night he was assassinated were among the 144 items up for bid at an auction on Wednesday. Out of these, 136 were sold to pay off a two-decade-old $8 million loan that the Lincoln Presidential Foundation used to buy a one-of-a-kind cluster of Lincoln artifacts from a California collector. The auction at Freeman's/Hindman in Chicago raised $7.9 million, but that includes buyers' premiums of roughly 28% tacked onto each sale to cover the auction house's administrative costs. The gloves were the top-selling items, bringing in $1.52 million including the premium. One of two handkerchiefs Lincoln had with him April 14, 1865, the night he was shot, went for $826,000. A 'Wanted' poster featuring photos of three suspects in the assassination conspiracy, led by John Wilkes Booth, sold for $762,500, far higher than the top estimated price of $120,000. And the earliest known sample of the 16th president's handwriting, from a notebook in 1824, fetched $521,200. Phone and email messages seeking comment were left for the foundation. Its website said proceeds from the auction would be put toward retiring the debt and 'any excess funds will go toward our continued care and display of our extensive collection.' The foundation purchased a 1,540-item assemblage in 2007 from Louise Taper for the fledgling Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which opened in 2005 in the city where he established a law practice and lived while serving in the Illinois Legislature and briefly in Congress. The artifacts were supposed to give the library and museum, which was rich in Lincoln-related manuscripts, a boost in what it lacked — the meaty kind of curios that draw tourists. But fundraising was slow, forcing the sale of non-Lincoln portions of the collection and threats by the foundation to sell more before it finally extended the loan. In 2012 a controversy arose over what had been the crown jewel of the group — a stovepipe hat, appraised at $6 million, that Lincoln was said to have given as a gift to a southern Illinois supporter. That story came under intense scrutiny, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, resulting in a 2019 study that found there was no evidence the hat belonged to Lincoln. It was not part of Wednesday's auction.
22-05-2025
- Politics
Lincoln's blood-stained gloves from the night of his assassination among 144 artifacts on auction
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Treasured artifacts associated with President Abraham Lincoln were on the auction block Wednesday, separated from a collection that was intended to be available for public display forever but wound up in the middle of an interagency feud amid a lingering $8 million debt. The blood-stained leather gloves that were in Lincoln's pocket the night he was assassinated were among the 144 items up for bid, 136 of which sold. They were auctioned to pay off the remainder of a two-decade-old loan that the Lincoln Presidential Foundation used to buy a one-of-a-kind cluster of Lincoln artifacts from a California collector. The auction at Freeman's/Hindman in Chicago raised $7.9 million, but that includes buyers' premiums of roughly 28% tacked onto each sale to cover the auction house's administrative costs. The gloves were the top-selling items, bringing in $1.52 million including the premium. One of two handkerchiefs Lincoln had with him April 14, 1865, the night he was shot, went for $826,000. A 'Wanted' poster featuring photos of three suspects in the assassination conspiracy, led by John Wilkes Booth, sold for $762,500, far higher than the top estimated price of $120,000. And the earliest known sample of the 16th president's handwriting, from a notebook in 1824, fetched $521,200. Phone and email messages seeking comment were left for the foundation. Its website said proceeds from the auction would be put toward retiring the debt and 'any excess funds will go toward our continued care and display of our extensive collection.' The foundation purchased a 1,540-item assemblage in 2007 from Louise Taper for the fledgling Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which opened in 2005 in the city where he established a law practice and lived while serving in the Illinois Legislature and briefly in Congress. The artifacts were supposed to give the library and museum, which was rich in Lincoln-related manuscripts, a boost in what it lacked — the meaty kind of curios that draw tourists. But fundraising was slow, forcing the sale of non-Lincoln portions of the collection and threats by the foundation to sell more before it finally extended the loan. In 2012 a controversy arose over what had been the crown jewel of the group — a stovepipe hat, appraised at $6 million, that Lincoln was said to have given as a gift to a southern Illinois supporter. That story came under intense scrutiny, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, resulting in a 2019 study that found there was no evidence the hat belonged to Lincoln. It was not part of Wednesday's auction.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Lincoln's blood-stained gloves sold for more than €6 million at debt-relief auction
A collection of artifacts linked with President Abraham Lincoln, including the blood-stained leather gloves he worn the night of his assassination, have been sold at an auction in the United States for $7.9 million (€6.9 million). A total of 144 items up for sale to pay off the remainder of a two decade old $8 million (€7 million) debt that the Lincoln Presidential Foundation used to buy a one-of-a-kind cluster of Lincoln artifacts from a California collector. The gloves proved to be the most popular item, fetching $1.52 million (€1.35 million) including the premium. One of two handkerchiefs Lincoln had with him on April 14, 1865, the night he was shot, went for $826,000 (€731,000). A 'Wanted' poster featuring photos of three suspects in the assassination conspiracy, led by John Wilkes Booth, sold for $762,500 (€674,72 million), far higher than the top estimated price of $120,000 (€106 million). The earliest known sample of the 16th president's handwriting, from a notebook in 1824, fetched $521,200 (€461,140). In 2012 a controversy arose over what had been the crown jewel of the group — a stovepipe hat, appraised at $6 million, that Lincoln was said to have given as a gift to a southern Illinois supporter. That story came under intense scrutiny, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, resulting in a 2019 study that found there was no evidence the hat belonged to Lincoln. It was not part of Wednesday's auction. The foundation purchased a 1,540-item assemblage in 2007 from Louise Taper for the fledgling Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which opened in 2005 in the city where he established a law practice and lived while serving in the Illinois Legislature and briefly in Congress. The artifacts were supposed to give the library and museum, which was rich in Lincoln-related manuscripts, a boost in what it lacked - the curiosities that attract tourists. But fundraising was slow, forcing the sale of non-Lincoln portions of the collection and threats by the foundation to sell more before it finally extended the loan.
