Eric Trump said the Trump golf courses are funded by Russian money
| Eric Trump said the Trump golf courses are funded by Russian money | |
|---|---|
| DISPUTED | |
| "Eric Trump told a golf writer in 2014 that the family had 'all the funding we need out of Russia' for its golf courses." | |
| Domain | Business, Finance & Scams |
| Tactic | False Context Statistical & Evidentiary Distortion |
| Era | Current |
| First seen | 2017 |
| Origin | A May 2017 WBUR interview with golf writer James Dodson about a 2014 conversation |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-03 |
| Further reading: books on Business, Finance & Scams | |
The claim that Eric Trump said Russian money funds the Trump golf courses rests on one witness. Golf writer James Dodson said Eric Trump told him this on a round of golf. Eric Trump has flatly denied it, and no recording or document has been produced.
What the evidence shows
- The allegation. Dodson told WBUR in May 2017 that Eric said the family did not rely on American banks and had 'all the funding we need out of Russia.' WBUR later corrected the year to 2014.
- The denial. Eric Trump called the account 'completely fabricated' and 'complete garbage,' said the family owns its courses free and clear, and said the family has no Russian investors in them.
- The witness stood firm. Asked again, Dodson said 'That's what Eric said to me. Absolutely.'
- What is missing. No transcript, recording or financial record corroborates the quote. The Mueller report did not find a criminal conspiracy involving Russian funding of Trump properties.
- Context. Trump Organization golf properties borrowed from banks including Deutsche Bank, which is a documented fact separate from this dispute.
Why it persists
The quote fits what many people already believed about Russian ties, and the denial fits what supporters already believed about the press. A one-witness, no-recording claim cannot settle either belief.
Lessons for readers
- Distinguish 'a witness says' from 'it is established'.
- A flat denial is not proof either; look for documents.
- Do not treat an unproven quote as evidence in other claims.
See also
- Russian money made up a disproportionate share of the Trump Organization's assets
- A secret server channel linked the Trump Organization to Russia's Alfa Bank
Sources
- WBUR Only A Game, interview with James Dodson, May 8, 2017 (with later correction on the year).
- Business Insider, Washington Examiner and Associated Press coverage of Eric Trump's denial, May 2017.
- Mediaite, 'Noted Golf Writer: Eric Trump Told Me Trump Golf Courses Have Russian Funding,' May 2017.