“Secret Money”: Critics Slam Trump’s Ethics Lapses During Transition

Donald Trump’s transition team has reportedly failed to sign required ethics agreements, leading critics to accuse the team of operating on “secret money.” This revelation has sparked widespread outrage among political observers and the public. Over the past two weeks, Trump has been actively announcing Cabinet nominations.

However, according to a Sunday New York Times report, his team has yet to disclose “the names of the donors who are funding his transition effort.” This failure to comply with standard ethics norms has reportedly created significant gaps in the team’s preparedness, leaving them uninformed on critical issues.

The news has ignited a firestorm on social media. Critics, including Republicans opposed to Trump, highlighted the implications of these actions on X (formerly Twitter). One group stated, “Trump has yet to sign the ethics agreement required for the presidential transition, allowing him to raise unlimited amounts of money from unknown donors to pay for the staff, travel, and office space involved in preparing to take over the government.”

The group further criticized Trump, calling him “the most corrupt president in American history.” Former White House correspondent Brian J. Karem echoed this sentiment, labeling Trump as the “MOST corrupt POTUS in history.” Political science expert Tim Hogan framed the situation as part of a broader issue, blaming it on structural problems within the U.S. judiciary.

Hogan remarked, “More evidence that John Roberts and his fascist SCOTUS majority likely destroyed America and started the beginning of the end of our fragile Democracy.” The criticism extended beyond political circles, with cultural figures weighing in. Musician Elizabeth Logan expressed her frustration with the lack of accountability, saying, “Only in America can a person steal this much money and not have to submit to an IRS audit.”

Artist Art Candee added, “Trump has been dragging his feet on signing the standard ethics and transparency agreements with the federal government.” Reflecting the mood of many, Candee asked, “Is anyone…anyone at all…surprised?” The alleged reliance on undisclosed funds has raised questions about the integrity of Trump’s transition process.

Critics argue that the lack of transparency sets a troubling precedent for government accountability, further fueling concerns about ethical lapses and their potential impact on democracy. As these revelations unfold, they continue to deepen the polarization surrounding Trump’s legacy and approach to governance.