Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Wealthy Trump Associates Accused of Breaking the Law With Plan to Sell Vets' Medical Records

Wealthy Trump Associates Accused of Breaking the Law With Plan to Sell Vets' Medical Records
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Critics of former President Donald Trump's administration found new depths in its corruption upon revelations covered in a joint House committee investigation.

Their report found that, as President, Trump empowered three wealthy allies—Ike Perlmutter, Marc Sherman, and Dr. Bruce Moskowitz—as "advisers" to interfere with operations at Veterans Affairs in pursuit of their own interests. Trump vowed at the time in 2017 that, despite having no Military experience, the trio would "straighten out the VA".


Most shockingly, the trio—on behalf of the federal government—proposed monetizing VA patient data and selling it to corporations like Johnson and Johnson, CVS, and Apple. What's more, the report details that both Trump and his son-in-law (and senior advisor), Jared Kushner, knew of the talks.

After an update on the plan from Perlmutter, Kushner responded:

"Great — he [Trump] is excited for your dinner together!"

Documents also revealed that Moskowitz exploited his position to pressure the VA to expand its role in a medical device federal registry that Moskowitz's nonprofit was promoting at the time.

The report concluded:

"Our joint investigation found that Ike Perlmutter, Marc Sherman, and Dr. Bruce Moskowitz, bolstered by their connection to President Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club, violated the law and sought to exert improper influence over government officials to further their own personal interests."

House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney of New York cited the report in calling for the passage of her bill, the Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act.

Social media users were disturbed at the corruption Trump's administration sicced upon the VA.





In their opposition to vaccine passports, Trump's supporters often falsely claim that businesses asking for vaccines counts as a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In reality, HIPAA only prohibits doctors and healthcare providers from disclosing their patients' medical records without consent. It doesn't forbid private businesses from asking an individual to voluntarily disclose their vaccinations.

Many said the Trump administration's efforts to monetize the medical records of veterans was, in fact, an actual HIPAA violation.


The HIPAA-crosy never ends.

More from News

Cover of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

People's Response To Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word Of The Year Just Proved Their Point

Merriam-Webster dictionary nailed it with their 2024 Word of the Year selection that accurately defined the divisive reaction to the 2024 presidential election results.

The dictionary's account on X (formerly Twitter) declared this year's Word of the Year was, "Polarization," and joked:

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Nancy Mace Rages After Nobody Will Print Her Transphobic Holiday Wrapping Paper Design

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was called out after sharing a photo of her anti-trans wrapping paper design to lament that "no company" would print it due to its "offensive" nature.

Mace, who has courted significant controversy for her efforts to bar Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress, from using the bathroom that corresponds with her gender identity, shared on social media that she attempted to create custom wrapping paper, seemingly intended for raising campaign funds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eugenio Derbez; Selena Gomez
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Amy Sussman/Getty Images

'Coda' Star Apologizes After Selena Gomez's Classy Response To His 'Emilia Pérez' Criticism

Actor Eugenio Derbez walked back his harsh review of Selena Gomez's Spanish in the new musical crime comedy film Emilia Pérez after she responded with class to the tough criticism of not being a fluent speaker.

Gomez stars as Spanish-speaking character Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a cartel kingpin who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to start a new life as the titular Emilia Pérez.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
NBC

Trump Dragged After Claiming He 'Started Using' The Word 'Groceries' During The Election

President-elect Donald Trump was dragged after claiming he "started using" the word "groceries" during the election—before asking, "Who uses the word?"

Trump, in an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, emphasized the soaring grocery prices affecting millions of Americans as a pivotal factor in his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less
man pointing up
Alex Sheldon on Unsplash

People Break Down Their 'I F*cking Knew It!' Experiences

Sometimes you feel like you just know something is true, even if you can't prove it.

You may find out you're completely wrong. People usually don't like to talk about or acknowledge when that happens.

Keep ReadingShow less