President Trump’s private business empire said Monday it has turned over to the U.S. Treasury almost $200,000 of profits collected from foreign governments that used the company’s properties last year.

The Trump Organization, now being run on a day-to-day basis by Mr. Trump’s sons, wrote a check Monday for $191,538 to cover benefits the company received from events, hotel stays and other spending from foreign governments at their hotel in Washington and other locations in 2018, according to The Associated Press.

The donation was made to fulfill the promise made by Mr. Trump prior to his inauguration when he drew controversy for not divesting himself fully from his global real estate company prior to taking office.

Critics cited clauses in the Constitution that prevent any president from accepting payments or gifts from foreign and domestic leadership without congressional approval, saying that Mr. Trump’s decisions could be based on the private interests of his company and family and not public interest.

Mr. Trump also said he would prevent conflicts of interest by not personally negotiating deals with foreign entities and bringing in unaffiliated counsels to inspect domestic deals while he is in office.

Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters

Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.