Pro Publica reports:
President Donald Trump loves putting his name on everything from ties to steaks to water — and, of course, his buildings. But now the Trump Organization appears to be borrowing a brand even more powerful than the gilded Trump moniker: the presidential seal.
In recent weeks, the Trump Organization has ordered the manufacture of new tee markers for golf courses that are emblazoned with the seal of the President of the United States. Under federal law, the seal’s use is permitted only for official government business. Misuse can be a crime.
Past administrations have policed usage vigilantly. In 2005 the Bush administration ordered the satirical news website The Onion to remove a replica of the seal. Grant M. Dixton, associate White House counsel, wrote in a letter to The Onion that the seal “is not to be used in connection with commercial ventures or products in any way that suggests presidential support or endorsement.”
MARKETING THE PRESIDENCY: Trump International ordered dozens of round, 12-inch replicas of the presidential seal to be placed next to the tee boxes at Trump golf course holes. https://t.co/YaGzslkvn6
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) March 5, 2018
The Trump Organization ordered golf markers with the Presidential Seal, which could be illegal. Hear how a Trump, Inc. listener tipped us off. https://t.co/vATbjyfKTf
— WNYC ? (@WNYC) March 5, 2018
EXCLUSIVE: How the Trump Organization ignored federal law and slapped the Presidential Seal on golf course tee markers. Special #TrumpIncPodcast from @ProPublica & @WNYC https://t.co/UjoCn991BV
— Jim Schachter (@jimschachter) March 5, 2018
oh god @POTUS‘s company is manufacturing the official presidential seal as a golf tee marker for Trump golf courses https://t.co/zMNA1bAQ16 pic.twitter.com/YsMIbqEUM4
— Caitlin Hu (@husca) March 5, 2018