The reputation of President Donald Trump—rocky to begin with—is enduring further turbulence owing to the commander-in-chief’s unwillingness to thoroughly denounce neo-Nazi groups for the recent events in Charlottesville.
As the drama unfolds, at least half a dozen large charities have severed ties with the president and are pulling their scheduled events from his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The Cleveland Clinic, a research hospital with a site in West Palm Beach, was the first to announce a cancellation on Thursday afternoon, suggesting that they might even switch to the nearby Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa.
The change is significant, as the clinic has held their fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago for the last 8 years, each time raising close to $1 million.
Not long after the Cleveland Clinic’s announcement, the American Cancer Society turned their collective back on Trump’s “Winter White House,” canceling not just one but TWO events. And this morning, the Salvation Army walked as well, joining the American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen and the Autism Association of Palm Beach County.
“Our values and commitment to diversity are critical as we work to address the impact of cancer in every community,” the Society said in their statement regarding re-booking of their 2018 sponsor dinner and 60th anniversary gala. “It has become increasingly clear that the challenge to those values is outweighing other business considerations.”
Finally, the American Friends of Magen David Adom (“AFMDA”), a group supporting Israel ambulance and disaster relief programs, canceled their February, 2018 fundraising gala, an event that draws 600 attendees paying $650 per admission.
“After considerable deliberation, AFMDA—an apolitical and humanitarian aid organization—will not hold its 2018 Palm Beach Celebration of Life Gala at Mar-a-Lago,” the group announced simply.
