Anti-sharia group offers donors a private tour and cocktails at Trump hotel
By Amy Brittain and Abigail Hauslohner June 20 at 11:28 AM
A controversial group that has held rallies against the spread of Islamic law is seeking to harness the allure of President Trump’s brand as it raises money for its upcoming Washington conference.
For $10,000, sponsors of the ACT for America gathering can enjoy “pre-conference cocktails” and a “private tour of the historic Trump International Hotel” alongside the group’s founder, Brigitte Gabriel, among other benefits, according to promotional materials published on the group’s website.
The walk through the hotel, located in the stately Old Post Office Pavilion a few blocks from the White House, is scheduled to take place before participants head to Capitol Hill to hold lawmakers’ “feet to the fire” on national security issues, according to plans posted on the group’s website. The organization, which critics have decried as anti-Muslim, has repeatedly claimed that Judeo-Christian culture is under “assault” in America and radical Islam is to blame.
The promotion represents a new twist in the story line of Trump’s luxury hotel, which has sparked several lawsuits and criticism from ethics experts alleging that the president is improperly profiting from foreign governments and other interest groups holding events at the property. Although groups typically pay to book meeting space and food service at the Trump hotel like they would at any event venue, ACT is touting the chance to enjoy access to a signature business owned by the president of the United States.
The October event offers ACT, which has drawn headlines this month for its “March Against Sharia” rallies across the country, a chance to associate itself with a president who campaigned on banning many Muslims from entering the United States and has recently seen his efforts to restrict travel from certain majority-Muslim countries tied up in legal challenges.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/anti-sharia-group-offers-donors-a-private-tour-and-cocktails-at-trump-hotel/2017/06/20/0b758b86-5138-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html
