The record breaking donation for Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony reflects his popularity and corporate backing on one hand, but also raises an important question on the other hand—will Trump be able to control corruption by staying above the influence of his friends and corporate donors?
Corporate Donations and the Fear of Corruption
1. Meaning of Corporate Donations:
When large corporations such as Boeing, Google, and Microsoft contribute millions of dollars to a new president’s event, their agenda is not just to support the event, but also to strengthen their reach and influence with the new administration.
Risk:
These donors may try to influence policies for their personal interests or commercial benefit, which can be detrimental to democracy.
2. Conflict of Interest:
If the Trump administration supports these corporations by giving them new tenders, tax benefits, or regulatory relaxations, this could further increase the corruption allegations.
- Impact of Policy Decisions: When corporations influence policymaking, the interests of the general public are left behind. There is always a concern that decisions in the interest of big donors may take precedence over public welfare.
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