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Former President Donald Trump was spotted using the presidential seal on multiple items during the LIV Golf Tournament at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.
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The seal was plastered on towels, golf carts and other items as the former president promoted the Saudi-sponsored tournament on Thursday.
It is against federal law to use the presidential and vice presidential seals in ways that could convey “a false impression of sponsorship or endorsement by the United States government.”
Although violation of this law can result in imprisonment for “not more than six months”, a fine, or both, these penalties are rarely enforced.
This is not the first time the seal has been reported to be displayed at Trump properties. The logo appeared on a marker at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla., in an Instagram post earlier this year, according to Forbes. WNYC and ProPublica reported in 2018 that the Trump Organization had ordered golf course markers with the logo on them.
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Last year, a Washington-based watchdog group accused his Bedminster Golf Club of profiting from the use of images of the presidential seal.
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“The illegal use of the presidential seal for commercial purposes is no small matter, especially when it involves a former president actively challenging the legitimacy of the current president,” Citizens for Accountability and Ethics in Washington said when it filed the complaint in 2021.
As Trump kicked off Thursday’s final LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament, the event was closed to the public but open to the media.
This week marks the third event of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Series, which Trump has joined forces with in Bedminster, facing criticism, and the second event in the United States.
The former president was asked if he regretted that the golf club hosted a LIV golf event rather than a tournament sanctioned by the US Golf Association or the PGA Tour.
“No, no regrets. That’s their problem,” he said. “This course trumps every other course.”
Asked by a reporter if he intended to announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, he said: “You will be so happy. . . We will let you know very soon.”
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