An Entire Family of F#@king Grifters

Holy shit. "Since her husband took office Melania Trump has earned six figures from an unusual deal w/ [Getty Images] in which major media orgs have indirectly paid the Trump family despite a requirement that the photos be used only in positive coverage." https://t.co/GuG0bxGQ5n

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) July 2, 2018

To be clear, she has earned at least six figures in royalties, but possibly even more: "According to the revenue statement in [Donald] Trump's May financial disclosure, Melania Trump earned between $100,000 and $1,000,000 in photo royalties in 2017 from the Getty deal."

Akili Ramsess, executive director of the National Press Photographers Association, told NBC News that an agreement in which a photo agency would pay royalties to the Trumps for a set of photographs and then limit the use of those photos only to positive stories is "unusual." No kidding.

This, too, is not normal.

Most modern first ladies have launched books and other commercial products during their stints in the White House — and then donated the entire proceeds to charity. Laura Bush donated a book advance to education charities, and Michelle Obama gave the proceeds from her book American Grown to the National Park Foundation.

...The White House declined to comment on whether the Trumps have steered any of the proceeds from the Getty deal, which was consummated before Melania Trump became first lady, to a charity. Absent a public announcement, their annual tax returns might provide a hint — but unlike all other modern first families, the Trumps have not released them.

And if they claim a dime of it has gone to charity, it is safe to assume that's a lie, unless and until there is public proof of claimed donation.

What a truly despicable family.