Report: Firm lobbying for Saudi Arabia paid guest's bill at Trump hotel

Politico is reporting that a company lobbying for Saudi Arabia paid a guest's bill for stay at the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C., "marking the first publicly known payment on behalf of a foreign government to a Trump property since he became president."

The guest was a veteran visiting D.C. as part of a group organized by Qorvis MSLGroup and NMLB Veterans Advocacy Group to appeal to Congress for repealing the law that makes it possible for the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

The media outlet notes that "a subcontractor to Qorvis representing the Saudis" paid for the guest's stay from January 23 to January 26.

The details were found from the disclosures submitted to the Justice Department.

The transaction highlights the complex issues at the intersection of Trump's political and business interests.

According to DCist, in early February, "President Trump stepped down as head of the Trump Old Post Office LLC, the company that runs the D.C. hotel, and his eldest son is now at the helm. However, President Trump has not renounced his ownership stake and appears to continue to be enriched by the hotel even as Don Jr. manages it."

Donald Trump has expressed his belief that as president, he is exempted from conflicts-of-interest laws, notes the New York Times.

Though he is not held to some laws, he is subject to the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which states the holder of the high office cannot accept money from other governments or their top-ranking officials.