Donald Trump’s tenure as president quickly became engulfed in a series of scandals and controversies.
Almost immediately after assuming office in January 2017, Trump found himself embroiled in various issues that ranged from his use of social media to attack political adversaries and foreign leaders to the turnover of staff within his administration.
Here are some of the scandal that have captivated the American public:
Impeachment over Ukraine blackmail
Trump made history by becoming the first U.S. president to be impeached twice. The first impeachment in December 2019 stemmed from accusations that he pressured Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election. The second impeachment, in January 2021, focused on charges of inciting insurrection following the Capitol riots.
The Ukraine scandal centered on Trump’s efforts to solicit foreign assistance in a presidential election by allegedly withholding military aid to Ukraine and pressuring its president to investigate political opponents. Similarly, the second impeachment arose from Trump’s relentless campaign to overturn the 2020 election results, culminating in the Capitol riots.
Critics argue that both impeachments underscore Trump’s disregard for national interests in favor of personal gain. The House Intelligence Committee’s report concluded that Trump abused his power by soliciting foreign interference for his reelection and obstructing congressional investigations.
Despite the accusations, Trump remained defiant, dismissing the impeachment proceedings as politically motivated attacks.
2020 Election: “Fight like hell!”
The 2020 presidential election witnessed Trump’s refusal to accept defeat, challenging the results through numerous lawsuits and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. Trump’s insistence on contesting the outcome, especially in swing states won by Biden, led to a prolonged period of uncertainty and tension.
Critics lambasted Trump’s legal challenges as baseless, with judges often rejecting his claims due to lack of evidence. Even Republican officials expressed concerns over the attempts to undermine the democratic process. Despite exhausting legal avenues, Trump persisted in denying the election results until the end of his term, contributing to unprecedented polarization and division. After a speech full of lies over a rigged election, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, broke in and vandalized hallways and offices.
The Russia Scandal
The Russia scandal cast a shadow over Trump’s presidency from its early stages, with allegations of collusion between his campaign and Russian operatives. The controversy centered on Russian interference in the 2016 election, aimed at undermining American democracy and promoting Trump’s candidacy.
While the Mueller investigation did not establish conclusive evidence of collusion, it highlighted concerning links between Trump’s campaign and Russia. However, Attorney General William Barr’s summary of the report faced criticism for downplaying its findings.
Trump dismissed the allegations as a Democratic hoax and questioned the legitimacy of the investigation, framing it as a politically motivated witch hunt.
The firing of James Comey
Trump’s abrupt dismissal of FBI Director James Comey in 2017 raised suspicions of obstruction of justice, particularly regarding the investigation into Russian interference. Critics viewed Comey’s firing as an attempt to impede the investigation and protect Trump’s interests.
The move drew bipartisan concern, with lawmakers questioning the timing and motives behind Comey’s termination. Even Republicans expressed unease over its potential implications for the rule of law.
Trump defended his decision, dismissing accusations of wrongdoing and characterizing the investigation as a partisan attack.
Hotel rooms for Government visitors
Trump faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest arising from his business interests during his presidency. Critics accused him of violating the Foreign Emoluments Clause by accepting payments from foreign governments, thereby profiting from his position as president.
Numerous lawsuits were filed against Trump, alleging violations of ethical standards and constitutional provisions. However, Trump remained defiant, dismissing the accusations and refusing to divest from his business empire.
Twitter mania
Trump’s use of Twitter emerged as a prominent feature of his presidency, allowing him to communicate directly with the public without the traditional filters of official channels. His tweets often sparked controversy, ranging from personal attacks to unsubstantiated claims.
Critics raised concerns about the lack of oversight and the potential consequences of Trump’s impulsive and inflammatory statements on Twitter. The platform’s decision to suspend and later permanently ban Trump’s account following the Capitol riots underscored the risks associated with unchecked presidential communication.
Despite criticism, Trump remained unapologetic about his use of Twitter, viewing it as a vital tool for connecting with his supporters and circumventing traditional media channels.
Stormy Daniels: Hush money for silence
The Stormy Daniels scandal, which led to criminal charges against Donald Trump, began in February 2017 when Trump was in the White House. Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified before Congress, recalling a moment in the Oval Office where Trump assured him of reimbursement for hush money payments sent from New York.
This scandal, described by Cohen as a “biblical-level sex scandal,” traces back years earlier. Stephanie Clifford,?aka porn star Stormy Daniels, met Trump at a celebrity golf event in 2006 when she was 27, and he was a billionaire real estate mogul and TV personality. They engaged in a sexual encounter, according to Daniels’ memoir.
In 2011, Daniels attempted to sell her story when Trump flirted with a presidential run, but legal threats silenced her. In 2016, as Trump’s presidential campaign gained momentum, Cohen orchestrated a payment of $130,000 to Daniels in exchange for her silence about their affair.
Cohen, with the involvement of Trump and Allen Weisselberg, Trump Organization’s CFO, facilitated the payment, disguising it as legal expenses. Despite initial denials, Trump later admitted to the payment, framing it as a private agreement unrelated to his campaign. The revelation of the Daniels affair, along with Cohen’s cooperation with authorities, resulted in legal repercussions for both. Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including campaign finance violations related to the payments. In December 2018, he was sentenced to three years in prison. Daniels, entangled in legal battles, was ordered to pay Trump $300,000 over a dismissed defamation suit.
Trump, though, was later charged in New York. The trial is scheduled to begin on March, 25.
“Presidential Library” Mar-a-Lago: Top secret files in the bathroom…
Former President Donald Trump reportedly stored classified documents in various locations at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including a public ballroom, bathroom, and bedroom. The resort hosted over 150 social events from January 2021 to August 2022, when the FBI conducted a search for the documents.
While the Secret Service protected Trump and his family, they were not responsible for the boxes or their contents, and Trump did not disclose the presence of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
These documents contained sensitive information about US defense and nuclear capabilities. Initially, some boxes were found on the stage of Mar-a-Lago’s White and Gold Ballroom, where events were held. Others were discovered in a bathroom and shower in the Lake Room of The Mar-a-Lago Club. Later, they were moved to a ground-floor storage room accessible from multiple entrances, including the pool patio.
Trump has been charged by Special Counsel Jack Smith. The trial could start in May in a federal courthouse in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
