The U.S. State Department removed Mar-A-Lago from a blog post on Monday following a massive outcry over possible ethics violations.
An initial post on ShareAmerica, a State Department blog that promotes what it considers “compelling stories,” offered a complete history of what has been dubbed President Trump’s “Winter White House.”
Yes, I am curious @StateDept. Why are taxpayer $$ promoting the President’s private country club? pic.twitter.com/IlPhUlvMwa
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) April 24, 2017
The post drew immediate outcry from Democrats that considered it an improper use of taxpayer money. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., openly questioned on Twitter, “Why are taxpayer $$ promoting the President’s private country club?”
“The intention of the article was to inform the public about where the President has been hosting world leaders,” the blog now reads. “We regret any misperception and have removed the post.”
Trump continues to face criticism over potential conflicts of interest along with the mounting travel expenses he’s incurred with his frequent visits to the Palm Beach, Fla., resort. Some of the criticism has even come from his own party, with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, recently telling a town hall she wished the president spent less time there.
