Optics And Ethics, trump. Optics And Ethics.

[Tennesseer]

The 'man' has always been clueless.

Trump’s Request of an Ambassador: Get the British Open for Me

LONDON — The American ambassador to Britain, Robert Wood Johnson IV, told multiple colleagues in February 2018 that President Trump had asked him to see if the British government could help steer the world-famous and lucrative British Open golf tournament to the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland, according to three people with knowledge of the episode.

The ambassador’s deputy, Lewis A. Lukens, advised him not to do it, warning that it would be an unethical use of the presidency for private gain, these people said. But Mr. Johnson apparently felt pressured to try. A few weeks later, he raised the idea of Turnberry playing host to the Open with the secretary of state for Scotland, David Mundell.

In a brief interview last week, Mr. Mundell said it was “inappropriate” for him to discuss his dealings with Mr. Johnson and referred to a British government statement that said Mr. Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.” The statement did not address whether the ambassador had broached the issue of Turnberry, which Mr. Trump bought in 2014, but none of the next four Opens are scheduled to be played there.

Complete article here: Trump’s Request of an Ambassador: Get the British Open for Me

[bean29]

Wonder if anyone else was present when the "ask" was made.  Why would the British Government cover for Trump though?

[Tennesseer]

Jul 22, 2020 9:25:45 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Wonder if anyone else was present when the "ask" was made.  Why would the British Government cover for Trump though?

They wish to stay out of this? They have to work with trump?

[Tiny]

I don't think the British government was covering for Trump. I think it was more of a diplomatic thing to protect their own people AND the British government's reputation.    It sends a nice message to other country's leaders/diplomats/ambassadors. 

I don't doubt the "request", however veiled it was, was made. I suspect it happens more often then we would all think - that asking for favors. That's kind of what politics (and diplomacy) is all about.

The statement just kind of redirects the inquiry it doesn't actually say the request was not made. 

In a brief interview last week, Mr. Mundell said it was “inappropriate” for him to discuss his dealings with Mr. Johnson and referred to a British government statement that said Mr. Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.” The statement did not address whether the ambassador had broached the issue of Turnberry, which Mr. Trump bought in 2014, but none of the next four Opens are scheduled to be played there.

 
ADDED:  That Trump would make an "ask" that was so very blatantly unethical and that his underling felt the need to pursue it (when, I hope, they felt it was very questionable) is telling.     I can imagine Trump (or anyone) saying/suggesting the 'ask' as a kind of obvious "joke"  not to be acted on -  it's a pretty common trope in TV sitcoms/comedies.   The fact that there may have been pressure to pursue it, speaks volumes.   

[busymom]

Don't use "Trump" and "ethics" in the same breath.  They're polar opposites.