I democratici hanno accusato i colleghi di Trump di aver dirottato le donazioni per il 250esimo anniversario degli Stati Uniti a un'organizzazione rivale.

A group of Democratic lawmakers has accused associates of U.S. President Donald Trump of potentially engaging in financial misconduct related to donations intended for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. According to a report released on Thursday by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, donors who wished to support America250—a bipartisan committee established by Congress—were instead directed to transfer funds to another organization called Freedom 250, which was created under the auspices of the Trump administration. The report suggests this practice could constitute fraud and violate several criminal laws.

The report indicates that donors were misled into believing their contributions would go to America250, a non-profit arm of the Commission for the 250th Anniversary of the United States, established in 2016 to organize celebrations marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Instead, they received banking information for Freedom 250, a similarly named but distinct group formed after resistance from the Trump administration's attempts to take control of America250.

According to the report, Freedom 250 was set up as a vehicle to promote a “Christian nationalist, partisan, and Trump-centric vision of American identity.” It describes the new structure as functioning like a “financial black box,” lacking standard transparency rules, accounting procedures, and competitive processes typically required for such organizations. This lack of oversight raises concerns about how funds were managed and whether they were used appropriately.

Spokesperson for Freedom 250, Danielle Alvarez, denied the allegations, calling them categorically false. She described the report as a political attack by individuals more interested in creating divisions than celebrating a national milestone. Alvarez emphasized that her organization remains committed to uniting Americans and organizing a celebration of which they can be proud.

The Democrats further allege that the Trump administration redirected tens of millions of dollars in public and private funds toward projects that bolster Trump’s political profile. They note that while $150 million in federal funds had been allocated for the commemoration of America250, only $25 million actually reached the designated entity, far below the expected amount of $100 million. This discrepancy highlights potential mismanagement and misuse of resources intended for a national celebration.

Meredith O’Rourke, a fundraiser for Trump’s 2024 campaign, is specifically mentioned in the report. It claims that donors, including those who spoke with investigators from the committee, believed they were contributing to America250, but were instead instructed to make transfers to accounts controlled by Freedom 250. O’Rourke, along with Keith Krach and the White House, have not yet responded to requests for comment on these allegations.

The controversy centers around the redirection of funds and the alleged misleading practices involving two similar-sounding organizations. While America250 was originally intended to serve as a neutral platform for planning the bicentennial celebrations, the emergence of Freedom 250 under the Trump administration appears to have altered the landscape significantly. The implications of this shift raise questions about the integrity of the fundraising process and the transparency of how these funds were utilized.

As the investigation continues, the focus will likely remain on verifying the accuracy of the claims made by the Democratic lawmakers. If proven true, the allegations could lead to legal consequences for those involved and prompt a broader examination of how public funds are managed during significant national events. The situation also underscores the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of both public and private donations, especially when they are tied to major historical commemorations.