Published 11:56 IST, October 20th 2019
Trump abruptly backtracks from holding 2020 G-7 summit at his resort
In the wake of severe criticism, American President, Donald Trump, changed his plan to host 2020's G7 summit at his private golf resort in Florida next year.
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In the wake of severe criticism, US President Donald Trump, changed his plan to host 2020's Group of Seven summit at his golf resort in Florida next year. Trump's decision came after he was accused of using presidential powers for his personal gain by hosting the meeting at a family-owned resort.
Trump abruptly backtracks
In a tweet, Trump stated that he will no longer be hosting the summit at his golf resort in 2020 amid the hostility that he is facing and will look for an alternative that will also include Camp David.
....Therefore, based on both Media & Democrat Crazed and Irrational Hostility, we will no longer consider Trump National Doral, Miami, as the Host Site for the G-7 in 2020. We will begin the search for another site, including the possibility of Camp David, immediately. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2019
The sudden backtrack by the American president has led to questions about the standing of the current Chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, who had previously announced that the meeting would be held at Trump's resort. Mulvaney, backed by his staff, stated that it was by far the best property to host leaders' from different parts of the world. In addition to this, he added that the decision had come in after the White House has looked into 10 different properties.
First one to float the idea
Donald Trump was the first one to officially float the idea of hosting the summit at the Trump National Doral as he praised the facilities it provided and it being close to the Miami International airport and this led to the Democrats and other groups berating the president was using his position to increase his personal wealth.
Even after the criticism plagued Trump, he stated that the summit would be hosted at a cost but did not reveal the financial details. The world leaders, at least would have helped in providing some sort of value to his resort.
"Nothing changes"
The executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, Noah Bookbinder, stated that Trump backtracking was itself a revelation but that did not change the fact that a President could even think that something like this would be termed as something appropriate or something he could be done and dusted with.
A president should not misappropriate his powers
In a comment, the former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden berated Trump
Hosting the G7 at Trump’s hotel? A president should never be able to use the office for personal gain.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 20, 2019
Too remote and small to host the summit
Later on, Mulvaney, removed Camp David from the list because it was really bad to host a G-7 summit. He also said that the site was too remote and small in size for the world leaders to have a discussion. Mick further added that there were a few unnamed sites in Hawaii that were on the list but there was no clarity if they were still on the shortlist.
(With inputs from agencies)
11:24 IST, October 20th 2019