EPEllen P. Aprill

1. Article · Aug 20, 2026 · Ellen P. Aprill, University of California, Los Angeles

   Is it illegal for the president to spend ‘patriotic’ donations on a White House ballroom or anything else? (opens the original)

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   (LOS ANGELES) The fate of President Donald Trump’s estimated US$400 million White House ballroom may hinge on the little-known and somewhat surprising rules as to when the federal government and its agencies can accept privately donated funds. That’s because Trump’s is using the fact that he’s been accepting private donations to pay for at least some of the project’s cost as a justification for not needing Congress’ explicit authorization. A federal appeals court on Aug. 7, 2026, dis

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2. Article · Aug 20, 2026 · Ellen P. Aprill, University of California, Los Angeles

   Is it illegal for the president to spend ‘patriotic’ donations on a White House ballroom or anything else? (opens the original)

   Excerpt · English

   Read excerpt

   (LOS ANGELES) The fate of President Donald Trump’s estimated US$400 million White House ballroom may hinge on the little-known and somewhat surprising rules as to when the federal government and its agencies can accept privately donated funds. That’s because Trump’s is using the fact that he’s been accepting private donations to pay for at least some of the project’s cost as a justification for not needing Congress’ explicit authorization. A federal appeals court on Aug. 7, 2026, dis

   Feedback

3. Article · Aug 20, 2026 · Ellen P. Aprill, University of California, Los Angeles

   Is it illegal for the president to spend ‘patriotic’ donations on a White House ballroom or anything else? (opens the original)

   Excerpt · English

   Read excerpt

   (LOS ANGELES) The fate of President Donald Trump’s estimated US$400 million White House ballroom may hinge on the little-known and somewhat surprising rules as to when the federal government and its agencies can accept privately donated funds. That’s because Trump’s is using the fact that he’s been accepting private donations to pay for at least some of the project’s cost as a justification for not needing Congress’ explicit authorization. A federal appeals court on Aug. 7, 2026, dis

   Feedback

4. Article · Aug 20, 2026 · Ellen P. Aprill, University of California, Los Angeles

   Is it illegal for the president to spend ‘patriotic’ donations on a White House ballroom or anything else? (opens the original)

   Excerpt · English

   Read excerpt

   (LOS ANGELES) The fate of President Donald Trump’s estimated US$400 million White House ballroom may hinge on the little-known and somewhat surprising rules as to when the federal government and its agencies can accept privately donated funds. Unlock the rest of the article with a new subscription. Your support strengthens local journalism. Subscribe now for full access to local reporting, breaking news, and more. Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Ex

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