Former First Lady Melania Trump’s fundraiser is being investigated by Florida officials, according to a report.
The New York Times noted Trump is selling tickets to a “high tea” event expected to take place in April. Organizers of the event say the profits will benefit an initiative driven by her “Be Best” endeavor called “Fostering the Future.”
According to the Times, the effort is designed to grant scholarships in computer-science to young individuals who have grown up in foster care.
The newspaper explained, “There was no indication of how much of the proceeds Mrs. Trump herself intended to pocket. Florida requires any organization that raises charitable contributions in the state to register. No charity with the name ‘Fostering the Future’ or ‘Be Best’ is registered in Florida.”
The former first lady responded to the reporting in a tweet.
“Dishonest reporting at it again. Everything has been done lawfully, and all documents are in the works. Read with caution-typical corrupt media,” Trump wrote.
She added, “We are working w/Bradley Impact Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund, to select charities that will receive the donations to foster children.”
Dishonest reporting at it again. Everything has been done lawfully, & all documents are in the works. Read with caution-typical corrupt media.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) February 12, 2022
We are working w/Bradley Impact Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund, to select charities that will receive the donations to foster children. https://t.co/5ZKr5SwIZz
Additionally, the Times pointed out Trump has discovered other ways to monetize her connection to her husband.
Last month, she launched an online auction called the “Head of the State Collection,” as IJR reported.
The collection commemorated the “Trump Administration’s first official state visit” and “features three important one-of-a-kind signed items.”
The bid for the collection started at $250,000.
She also put up a digital portrait of her by French artist Marc-Antoine Coulon.
Cryptocurrency prices crashed in January, reducing the initial $250,000 bid to roughly $170,000 on the last day of the auction, as the Times reported.
The newspaper said that the auction attracted only seven bids, citing electronic records.