If you, or even Donald Trump himself, thought that life could not possibly get any worse for the disgraced, washed-up, one-term, twice-impeached former guy then boy, do I have some news for you.
According to a bombshell new report from Forbes, the ex-president’s legal troubles just got a little worse still as the publication notes that Donald Trump has been directly involved in multiple violations of a federal law that disallows the misuse of the presidential seal on his various golf courses — a crime that actually carries a potential punishment of 6 months in jail per each offense.
Forbes’ Zach Everson cites a recent photo that was posted to Instagram that clearly shows the presidential seal displayed in a very prominent, gaudy manner in the fairway at ex-President Donald Trump’s Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The caption of the Instagram image reads, “45th President 45 yards from hole on 18.”
In a post made on Twitter, featuring a screen capture of the Instagram image of Donald Trump’s golf course, Everson makes notes that not only is the use of the US presidential seal in this manner a violation of federal law, it’s actually at least the fourth time Donald Trump has done so on one of his properties — with Trump golf properties in the Bronx, New Jersey, and Jupiter, Florida, also featuring the same misuse of the presidential seal in a similar manner.
Fore!
A fourth Trump golf course appears to be violating law by using presidential seal
for @forbeshttps://t.co/yrQtWJdVnY pic.twitter.com/2mASwfeL1g
— Zach Everson (@Z_Everson) June 6, 2022
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18 U.S. Code § 713 reads:
Whoever knowingly displays any printed or other likeness of the great seal of the United States, or of the seals of the President or the Vice President of the United States, or the seal of the United States Senate, or the seal of the United States House of Representatives, or the seal of the United States Congress, or any facsimile thereof, in, or in connection with, any advertisement, poster, circular, book, pamphlet, or other publication, public meeting, play, motion picture, telecast, or other production, or on any building, monument, or stationery, for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.”
To make matters that much worse for the former president, Forbes notes in their report that Donald Trump and his family/people are more than likely fully aware that they’re violating federal law, with Everson citing “In 2018, a podcast named ‘Trump, Inc.’ from ProPublica and WNYC, uncovered a batch of markers similar to the ones that have appeared recently at Trump properties.”
At that time, the Trump Organization blamed the misuse of the seal on diehard Trump supporters and made quick work out of doing away with the violating seal.
In a 2018 statement made to the podcast, Trump’s family company said, “The plaques were presented to the club by a small group of members, who are incredible fans of the president, in honor of Presidents’ Day weekend. They were temporary and have since been removed.”
Forbes notes in their report that Eagle Sign and Design in Kentucky, the manufacturer of the inappropriate presidential seals did not respond to their request for comment.
Read the full report from Forbes here.
Featured image via screen capture
