Trump companies got millions from foreign governments, report says

Donald Trump's hotels and other businesses accepted more than $7.8m (£6.1m) from foreign governments during his presidency, according to a new report from Democrats in Congress.

They found that China was responsible for more than $5.5m of those payments, which Mr Trump is accused of accepting in violation of the US constitution.

The report is based on documents released by Mr Trump's former accounting firm after a court battle.

Mr Trump did not immediately comment.

The US constitution bars presidents from accepting gifts or other benefits derived from their position without express permission from Congress.

The former businessman, who made his name as a hotel and property developer, has been dogged by questions about his firms' dealings since he entered the White House in January 2017.

At the time, he placed his sons in charge of the companies' day-to-day operations but maintained ownership of the businesses, which included the Trump International Hotel in Washington, which became a known haunt for lobbyists, foreign delegations and others.

Mr Trump, who is currently campaigning for a second term, faced numerous lawsuits alleging conflicts-of-interest.

In 2021, America's highest court threw out the cases, saying they were moot after he lost the 2020 election.

Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the investigation showed Mr Trump "put lining his pockets with cash from foreign governments seeking policy favors over the interests of the American people".

"The report's detailed findings make clear that we don't have the laws in place to deal with a president who is willing to brazenly convert the presidency into a business for self-enrichment and wealth maximization with the