On the Media

Trump's Presidential Library Grift. Plus, the Hacker Behind the NYT’s Mamdani Story.

42 snips
Jul 25, 2025
Tim Naftali, a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University, reveals how Donald Trump is financing his presidential library through lawsuit settlements with media companies, sparking ethical debates. Katherine Mangan, a Senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, discusses the Trump administration's investigations into George Mason University, highlighting the political pressure on educational institutions. Elizabeth Lopatto from The Verge uncovers the troubling background of a hacker who leaked admissions data, examining media coverage and its implications for journalistic integrity.
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INSIGHT

Trump's Library Fundraising Scheme

  • Donald Trump has raised over $63 million for his future presidential library mainly through lawsuit settlements with media companies.
  • This fundraising tactic allows him to essentially extort money from organizations while still in office, raising corruption concerns.
INSIGHT

Private Funding Breeds Corruption Risk

  • Presidents must fund their libraries privately due to Congress restricting federal library funding.
  • This creates an inherent conflict where fundraising can influence presidential decisions and invites corruption.
INSIGHT

Federal Oversight Corrects History

  • Nixon's original library misrepresented Watergate by blaming Democrats and downplaying Nixon's misconduct.
  • Federal control corrected this by ensuring museums offer comprehensive, nonpartisan views over time.
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