How Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. Hotel Feeds QAnon’s March 4 Conspiracy

Plus: How Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. Hotel Feeds QAnon’s March 4 Conspiracy

A QAnon conspiracy theory appears to be boosting room rates at Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. hotel. According to the theory, the former president will be re-inaugurated on March 4, and believers want to be there for the excitement, causing rates to shoot up at the president’s hotel. The extra business comes at a convenient time. Revenues fell at least 62% in 2020, mostly due to the pandemic.

Following The Money

The investigation into President Trump's Inaugural Committee continues. A court filing from Wednesday revealed that Donald Trump Jr. was deposed on February 11 as part of a lawsuit brought by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine against the Trump Organization and the committee. Racine, who had already deposed Ivanka Trump in December, claims the Trumps charged to the inaugural unfair rates in order to make more money for themselves.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee renewed the subpoena for Trump's financial records from his accountants at Mazars USA, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Trump and his lawyers fought the subpoena when it was initially issued in 2019.

Despite receiving a pardon from Trump, Steve Bannon remains in hot water, since federal pardons don’t protect recipients from local prosecutors. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance has launched a formal investigation into Bannon’s role in diverting funds from the “We Build the Wall” organization, an effort to crowdfund the building of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Right-wing social media platform Parler continues its legal battle with Amazon, which deplatformed the website four days after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. But Parler is changing tactics. On Tuesday, it dropped its antitrust litigation and initiated a defamation suit. Amazon has previously said Parler didn't adequately police violent content and told Forbes that there is no merit to Parler's defamation claims.

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Facebook Ends Ban On Political Advertising (New York Times)

Trump’s Cash Plea Could Complicate GOP Fundraising Efforts (Associated Press)

Inspector General’s Report Cites Elaine Chao For Misuse Of Office (New York Times)

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