Trump Hosts NFL Owner Robert Kraft — Who’s Fighting Prostitution Charges
Image by Getty
By Aiden Pink July 10, 2019
President Trump invited dozens of business leaders to the White House for a dinner with the Emir of Qatar on Monday. Among those on the guest list: his friend Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner who is currently charged in Florida with soliciting prostitution.
Trump described the gathering as a “who’s who of people in business,” according to The New York Times. Kraft was seated one spot over from the president at their table, with International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde in between.
that’s patriots owner robert kraft (!) at the same table as the president at tonight’s dinner for the emir of qatar pic.twitter.com/iDvKyNR9id
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) July 8, 2019
Kraft and Trump are longtime friends; the sports owner has said that the president was a great comfort to him after his wife Myra died in 2011. “He called me once a week for a year,” Kraft said in 2017. “I’m loyal to my friends. I remember who are the people there for the tough times.”
Kraft also donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration committee that year.
Kraft issued an apology in March after being charged but his statement did not specify what exactly he was apologizing for. His high-powered legal team successfully convinced a judge in April to bar the release of surveillance video that allegedly showed Kraft receiving sexual stimulation from workers at a massage parlor earlier this year.
Correction, July 11: A previous version of this article said that Robert Kraft issued an apology after being arrested in March. In fact, he has not been arrested; the apology came after he was charged.
Aiden Pink is the deputy news editor of the Forward. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @aidenpink
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
