Trump ‘doesn’t know’ massage parlour boss he’s been photographed twice with, White House says
Recently removed, Li Yang's website offered 'opportunity to interact' with president at Mar-a-Lago
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump “doesn’t know” the massage parlour boss who offered to sell Chinese businessmen access to the president and members of his inner circle at his Mar-a-Lago resort, the White House has said.
Li Yang, a US-based entrepreneur, made headlines last week when a picture emerged of her smiling alongside the president at his West Palm Beach country club during last month’s Super Bowl.
The 45-year-old operates a number of spas that have been scrutinised by at least two police agencies for prostitution, the The Miami Herald reported. She is also the founder of a Floridian spa caught up in a high-profile sex work sting.
It later emerged her investment firm, GY US Investments LLC, was offering clients the opportunity for a “presidential roundtable and presidential dinner” and to “take photos with the president”.
The company’s website, which has since been taken down, features Ms Yang in at least two different photos with Mr Trump and describes her as a member of the “Presidential Fundraising Committee”.
The White House has insisted insists Mr Trump is unaware of Ms Yang.
However, The Miami Herald reported that she has donated with relatives more than $42,000 (£32,000) to a Trump political action committee, as well as $16,000 (£12,000) to Mr Trump’s presidential campaign.
“The president doesn’t know this woman,” spokesperson Judd Deere told magazine Mother Jones, which first reported Ms Yang’s claims of access to the president.
Last month Robert Kraft, owner of Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots, was charged with soliciting prostitution at Orchids of Asia Day - Ms Yang's former spa.
Florida police said they caught him on video in January paying for oral sex.
Mr Kraft has denied any wrongdoing. Ms Yang, 45, said she had sold the spa in question in 2013, and she had not been charged or implicated with crimes related to the sting.
Ms Yang has recently appeared in pictures alongside Mr Trump, his adult sons, as well as other prominent Republicans such as Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.
Ms Yang and the White House have both been contacted for comment.
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