Trump campaign gave draft of 'America First' speech to foreign government for approval

Documents released by the House Oversight Committee on Monday reveal that the Trump campaign submitted a speech to a foreign government for approval and additions. The subject of the speech was “America First.”

Emails and text uncovered by the committee show that investor and Trump adviser Thomas Barrack provided an advance copy of Trump’s planned speech to an associate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The associate then told Barrack he shared them with UAE and Saudi government officials, after which Barrack arranged for language requested by the UAE officials to be added to the speech with the help of Trump’s campaign manager at the time, Paul Manafort,” ABC News reported.

Manafort later emailed Barrack to let him know that the campaign had done the UAE’s bidding.

“This is the most likely final version of the speech. It has the language you want,” he wrote.

Manafort is among the more prominent members of Trump’s inner circle now in prison.

Trump’s speech was delivered in North Dakota in May of 2016. He said in the speech he was embracing an “America First” energy plan, and that “we will accomplish complete American energy independence.”

He did not tell his fervent supporters that the speech they were applauding went through the UAE’s hands “first.”

“The Trump Administration has virtually obliterated the lines normally separating government policy making from corporate and foreign interests,” said House Oversight Chair Elijah Cummings, who has overseen numerous investigations exposing Trump’s pattern of corruption.

Cummings was the subject of Trump’s latest barrage of racist attacks over the weekend.

Investigators also found that Barrack was attempting to become a formal part of the Trump administration in 2017 while influencing Middle East policy that would enrich himself. He even lobbied on behalf of Saudi interests attempting to obtain U.S. nuclear technology but did not register as a lobbyist.

Trump has created a culture of corruption he has personally benefitted from, refusing to divest from his personal holdings while the presidency is used to drum up business for Trump properties and venues.

The highest echelons in Trump’s campaign and in his presidency have been corrupt from the beginning. All that has changed is Trump’s power.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.