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Donald Trump Was Once A Lobbyist Despite His Claims Of Being A Political Outsider

By Heather Tooley
Published on: 03:48 PST, Oct 24, 2016

Being a political outsider has been the cornerstone of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The Republican nominee for president emphatically calls politicians corrupt and controlled by special interest groups who have no interest in helping anyone but themselves. Trump gave a speech recently in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania briefing everyone on what his plans will be for the first 100 days if he gets elected into office.

One of the plans entailed 5-step plan that would reinstate a ban on politicians from lobbying the government for five years after leaving. It turns out this might be a hypocritical viewpoint from the billionaire businessman in light of new information that’s resurfaced after ten years.

According to the Hill, Donald Trump was once a registered lobbyist in Rhode Island from April through December 2006.

Originally reported by Politico, Donald Trump was a lobbyist representing Trump Entertainment Resorts Holdings. State records reviewed by the news source show he was paid $4,000 a month to lobby for the business. Trump, a minority shareholder at the time for the organization, was reportedly lobbying for a proposed casino in Johnston, Rhode Island.

The Providence Journal published a report in April 2006 stating that “one of Trump’s operatives filed an application and paid the $5 registration fee that entitles him to walk the State House corridors, with a lobbyist badge on his jacket.”

A Trump spokesman told the news outlet that the real estate mogul registered as a lobbyist because he was “becoming personally involved in direct communications with people and officials in Rhode Island.”

No casino ever resulted from Trump’s lobbying efforts.

Donald Trump has openly admitted to turning to lobbyists and campaign contributions to influence government decisions, but hasn’t addressed his own involvement as a lobbyist just a decade ago.

Trump’s campaign has appointed several lobbyists that include former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski has worked as a lobbyist, obtaining stimulus funds for a client while publicly opposed to the stimulus in his work for the Koch brothers-backed American for Prosperity.

This revelation that Donald Trump once acted as a lobbyist just adds another layer of scrutiny to scandals his campaign is already steeped in. The release of the Access Hollywood tape, a parade of sexual assault accusers emerging, his refusal to release tax returns, and now learning of his lobbyist activities, has culminated in a putting Donald Trump in an even more unfavorable light.

Donald Trump still needs the battleground states of Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, and Pennsylvania to help him win the 270 electoral votes for President of the United States on Election Day. According to the latest polling statistics by ABC News, Trump is trailing way behind Hillary Clinton nationally. The Democratic presidential nominee has a double-digit lead over Donald Trump — even gaining steam with men voters.

Trump’s low poll numbers are due to broad disapproval, according to the report. It finds that 69-24 percent disapprove of Trump’s response to questions about his treatment of women. Many women who once gave the GOP nominee the benefit of the doubt when allegations of past sexual misconduct emerged have since moved, the report states. 59 percent of voters aren’t standing by Trump for not accepting the final election results if Clinton wins. Donald Trump’s treatment of women and attempts to undermine the voting process have hurt him badly in polls.

Learning that Donald Trump registered as a lobbyist might be shocking given the fact he’s bashed politicians anyone affiliated with the Washington establishment.

[Featured Image by Drew Angerer/Getty Images]

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