Our president is acting and thinking transactionally—giving to get.

The Pentagon has accepted a $130 million anonymous donation to pay the U.S. military during the government shutdown. With 1.5 million military personnel, that equals out to about $100/person. Previously $8 billion was shifted from military research and development to cover the shortfall. The New York Times later reported the donor to be “wealthy, reclusive Timothy Mellon”.

But where will the money come from to meet the next payroll? That question is still unanswered. Another, bigger question is why did the Pentagon leadership lie about the legality of receiving the gift?

According to the same The Military Times: “Pentagon policy says authorities ‘must consult with their appropriate Ethics Official before accepting such a gift valued in excess of $10,000 to determine whether the donor is involved in any claims, procurement actions, litigation, or other particular matters involving the Department that must be considered prior to gift acceptance.’”

None of these regulations was even considered. Is this an example of the president’s and Department of Justice’s unspoken policy of “Pay to Play”? In other words, is this a way for wealthy individuals to buy favors to get favorable treatment from the government—giving to get?

The same question can be asked about the unauthorized destruction of the White House East Wing. The President stated that the $350 billion cost to construct the 90,000 square foot ballroom was to be paid for by donations from wealthy corporations: “Google, R.J. Reynolds, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Palantir and NextEra Energy have donated, and so have firms in the tech, manufacturing, banking and health industries, sources told CBS News.”

What are these corporations getting in return for their generosity and what happens to those who oppose our president?

The Pentagon accepted a $400 million 747 jet from the Qataris. That jet will be refitted with all the security and communications gear needed for a presidential jet. Taxpayers will pay the $1 billion upgrade. The jet is slated to be given to the presidential library when the president ends his term.

This “gift” is in direct violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution where it’s illegal for a president to receive any money above his salary from either domestic or foreign sources unless Congress approves it. Press Secretary Karoline Levitt was lying when she stated: “Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s administration is committed to full transparency.” (newsweek.com)

What does the Qatari leadership receive in return? After Israel attacked Hamas negotiators in Qatar, we know that the President, with the stroke of his pen, but “no Senate approval and very little explanation… gave a security guarantee pledging US help if it comes under attack” [again] (msn.com).

The Qataris also received the right to build an air force facility in Idaho, according to Secretary of “War” Pete Hegseth. Vice-President J.D. Vance later claimed that the information was “fake news”. Either Hegseth or Vance was lying, or both.

What’s going on?

The answer is clear. Our President is thinking transactionally. He is making deals where the wealthy and powerful are giving him gifts in return for political favors. This is clearly unconstitutional. It is not providing for the “general welfare.” It’s providing benefits to a few at the expense of the American public. Donating millions of dollars to pay military salaries, financing a grand and gilded ballroom by gifts from wealthy donors, taking gifts from foreign leaders in return for U.S. military protection and a military facility in Idaho are all examples of pay to play.

The President is clearly violating his oath of office. He swore that he would “to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” What he is doing instead is profiting from his position and power by requiring plutocrats to pay for privileges that the average American can neither afford nor attain. This behavior must stop.