Trump’s 2016 financial disclosure forms show Trump owns stock in both Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), the parent company of Dakota Access Pipeline, and Phillips 66, which has a one-quarter share of Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Washington Post was the first news outlet to irresponsibly report that Donald Trump sold his shares in Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), the parent company of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The Post simply parroted Trump’s spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, despite the absence of any evidence to back up her claim.

Such reports have mislead the public into believing it is a fact that Trump sold all his investments in the pipeline. But it’s not.

Even if Hope Hicks’s statement that Trump sold his ETP investment were true, Trump still has $100,000 to $250,000 in Phillips 66, which has a one-quarter share of Dakota Access Pipeline. Trump spokeswoman Hick’s has NOT denied this.

Like Trump himself, Trump’s spokeswoman Hope Hicks has been caught lying before, and should not be trusted at face value.

Hope Hicks has already been caught in a “ blatant attempt to manipulate the press,” trying to deny any ties between the Trump campaign and racist Facebook poster, Aaron Border.

On another occasion Spokeswoman Hicks told Hollywood Reporter that the scandalous Fox News chief Roger Ailes, “had no formal or informal role in the campaign.” However, Ailes was not only involved with preparations but “led” a “debate-prep camp” with Trump.

Again, Hicks was caught lying to The New York Times when she denied that Trump encouraged British politician, Nigel Farage, to oppose wind farms.

So not only is there NO EVIDENCE Trump ever sold his investments in the pipeline, there is overwhelming evidence that both Trump and his spokeswoman can’t be trusted.

With no evidence given to prove the contrary, it is only correct to assume Donald Trump is still financially invested in DAPL despite recently signing an executive order to expedite its construction.

This is no small conflict of interest. It is blatant corruption. Trump once vowed to drain Washington, DC’s swamp of political corruption. But now he’s bathing in that swamp.

The media has a responsibility to demand documentation to back up claims, rather than propagate unverified statements from Donald Trump’s public relations team.