Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Eric Trump
Public opinion and media debates around Eric Trump—discover key moments of controversy.
Eric Trump is an American businessman, activist, and former reality television presenter. As the third child and second son of Donald Trump and Ivana Trump, he has been deeply involved in the Trump Organization, holding various executive positions. He manages Trump's golf courses and resorts. He is also involved in philanthropy through the Eric Trump Foundation, though it has faced scrutiny. Beyond his business ventures, Eric has been a visible supporter of his father's political career, often appearing at rallies and on television to advocate for his policies. He is married to Lara Trump, and they have two children.
2010: PETA Criticism for Hunting Trip
In 2010, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) criticized Eric Trump for an African hunting trip he took with his older brother, where they killed elephants and leopards in Zimbabwe.
July 2016: Claims of Donald Trump Donations
In July 2016, Eric Trump said Donald Trump had made "hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal donations" to the Eric Trump Foundation, but there was no evidence of that.
August 2, 2016: Comments on Ivanka Trump and Sexual Harassment
On August 2, 2016, during a television appearance on CBS This Morning, Eric Trump commented on his father's controversial statement about sexual harassment, saying that Ivanka is a strong woman and wouldn't allow herself to be subjected to it.
December 21, 2016: Fundraising Halt Announcement
On December 21, 2016, Eric Trump announced that he would stop active fundraising for the Eric Trump Foundation as of December 31 to avoid the appearance that donors were using him to gain access to his father after the presidential election.
2016: Increase in Foundation Contributions
In 2016, the Eric Trump Foundation, also known as the Curetivity Foundation, saw an increase in contributions, from $1.8 million in 2015 to $3.2 million. The foundation gave $2,910,000 in donations to St. Jude and paid $145,000 to Trump family-owned properties.
June 2017: Forbes Report on Foundation Funds
In June 2017, Forbes reported that the Eric Trump Foundation shifted money intended for cancer patients to the Trumps' businesses, with over $1.2 million going to the Trump Organization for the use of Trump's Westchester golf course.
June 2017: NY Attorney General Inquiry
In June 2017, the New York State Attorney General's Office began an inquiry into the Eric Trump Foundation based on issues raised by the Forbes investigation.
2017: Comments on Russian Funding
In 2017, Eric Trump reportedly stated that the Trump Organization did not rely on American banks, claiming they had funding from Russia and that Russian investors loved golf and were invested in their programs.
December 2018: Ongoing Investigation of the Eric Trump Foundation
In December 2018, the investigation into the Eric Trump Foundation by the New York State Attorney General's Office was reported as ongoing.
October 2019: Criticism of the Bidens
In October 2019, Eric Trump criticized the Bidens, questioning why every family goes into politics and enriches themselves.
May 2020: Comments on COVID-19 and Election
In May 2020, Eric Trump said on Fox News that stay-at-home orders were a strategy by Democrats to prevent his father's reelection and that after the election, "Coronavirus will magically all of a sudden go away and disappear".
September 2020: False Video Spread
In September 2020, Eric Trump spread a false video that appeared to show Joe Biden "being caught red-handed using a teleprompter" when he was not.
2020: Baseless Claims on Ballot Counting
During the 2020 election ballot counting, Eric Trump made baseless claims intended to cast doubt on Pennsylvania's ballot-counting process and shared a fake video purporting to show Trump ballots being burned.
2020: Attempts to Overturn Election
Following his father's electoral defeat in 2020, Eric Trump engaged in attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, falsely calling the election result a "fraud" and threatening Republican lawmakers to overturn the result.
February 16, 2024: Barred from Serving as Officer/Director
On February 16, 2024, a ruling barred Eric Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation or other legal entity in New York, including the Trump Organization, for two years.
May 28, 2024: Email Shown in Donald Trump's Trial
On May 28, 2024, during closing arguments in Donald Trump's New York criminal trial, an email was shown revealing that Jeffrey McConnery sought approval from Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. for reimbursement payments to Michael Cohen. Eric Trump also signed some reimbursement checks to Cohen.
