News
Brett Kappel was quoted in a recent CBS News article on the lack of transparency surrounding the funding for presidential libraries
In the CBS News article “Critics of Trump’s presidential library fundraising say ‘there are no rules’”, written by Madeleine May, Julia Ingram, and Hannah Marr, published on July 16, 2025, Brett Kappel spoke on the deficient regulations on raising funds for presidential libraries. Kappel stated “No one will know who is making donations to the presidential library while the president is still in office and making government policy.”
Operating without enforced transparency, a president is allowed to accept donations for their presidential library while in office enacting and directing federal policies, issuing pardons, and granting contracts. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal are planning on introducing a bill that would impose regulations for this type of fundraising, including quarterly disclosures and a contribution limit of $10,000 per donor while a president is in office.
Kappel specified “No one outside the organization knows who contributes to presidential library funds…That information is provided to the IRS, but is not made public.” Additionally, “The lack of transparency could raise the appearance of impropriety,” Kappel explained.