‘Trump, Inc.’ Podcast Extra
By Katherine Sullivan, special to ProPublica
President Donald Trump loves putting his name on everything from ties
to steaks to water — and, of course, his buildings. But now the Trump
Organization appears to be borrowing a brand even more powerful than the
gilded Trump moniker: the presidential seal.
In recent weeks, the Trump Organization has ordered the manufacture
of new tee markers for golf courses that are emblazoned with the seal of
the president of the United States. Under federal law, the seal’s use
is permitted only for official government business. Misuse can be a
crime.
Past administrations have policed usage vigilantly. In 2005 the Bush
administration ordered the satirical news website The Onion to remove a
replica of the seal. Grant M. Dixton, associate White House counsel,
wrote in a letter to The Onion
that the seal “is not to be used in connection with commercial ventures
or products in any way that suggests presidential support or
endorsement.”
After listening to the new ProPublica/WNYC podcast “Trump, Inc.,” a listener brought the signs to our attention.
Eagle Sign and Design, a metalworking and sign company with offices
in New Albany, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, said it had received
an order to manufacture dozens of round, 12-inch replicas of the
presidential seal to be placed next to the tee boxes at Trump golf
course holes. Two tee markers are placed on the ground at the start of a
hole on golf courses to indicate where golfers should stand to take
their first swing.
“We made the design, and the client confirmed the design,” said
Joseph E. Bates, who owns Eagle Sign, declining to say who the client
was.
Click here for the full article and podcast.
Source: ProPublica
UPDATE - March 6, 4:55 p.m. (EST) - Trump’s Company Removes Presidential Seal From Golf Course
UPDATE - March 6, 4:55 p.m. (EST) - Trump’s Company Removes Presidential Seal From Golf Course
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