Trump to Reportedly Spend TikTok Settlement Money on His D.C. ‘Beautification’ Goals
Donald Trump reportedly plans to use a $400 million TikTok privacy settlement to fund his Washington D.C. beautification projects.Summary
According to reports from ABC News, the White House is nearing a $400 million settlement with TikTok regarding allegations of illegal collection of children's private data. While such funds are typically reserved for victims, President Donald Trump reportedly intends to direct this money toward his personal "beautification" goals in Washington D.C., potentially through the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce.
These beautification efforts include projects like cleaning and painting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue. This plan coincides with a proposed $10 billion cut to the National Park Service, with funds being diverted into the "Presidential Capital Stewardship Program," which critics have described as a slush fund for the president's pet projects.
Additionally, the report highlights Trump's ongoing unauthorized construction at the White House, such as a controversial ballroom in the East Wing. While Congress traditionally holds the "power of the purse," the article notes that with Republican control of Congress, there may be little resistance to the president's reallocation of federal funds toward his personal interests.
(Source：Gizmodo)