The former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics criticized President Trump for promoting his Mar-a-Lago property as the “Southern White House” on Twitter.
“This reference to the ‘Southern White House’ is part of the campaign to monetize the presidency,” Walter Shaub tweeted. “Unlike the Mid-Atlantic White House, you can purchase unlimited access to the Southern White House and its chief occupant if you are willing to pay him $200,000 per year.”
The criticism comes after Trump said he would be watching the funeral services for former first lady Barbara Bush from the “Southern White House” — his Mar-a-Lago property located in Palm Beach, Fla. He has been in Florida all week.
Shaub resigned as head of OGE in July last summer after criticizing the Trump administration for lax ethics records.
Watchdog groups like Shaub’s Campaign Legal Center have condemned the president and his family for promoting their family businesses.
Thanks. I’m not sure why news outlets write “White House ethics chief.” I think they get me confused with Norm and Richard. Another correction: The amount of the check Trump wrote to Treasury for his foreign govt income is not unknown. It’s a mere $151,470. For the whole year. pic.twitter.com/H75IjbOMJw
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) April 21, 2018
