A Rundown of Trump's Most Controversial Conflicts of Interest

While the president-elect's supposed business prowess made him an appealing candidate to some, Trump's brand and real estate ventures are complicating his transition. Despite claiming that a "president could not have conflicts of interest" and that the law is "totally on his side" during his publicized meeting with The New York Times, Trump is not totally immune from the law.

Here are three of the biggest challenges that Trump — and, more acutely, his lawyers — will face when he becomes president.

The Trump Organization owns eight hotels in America (with six additional properties internationally), but the Trump Hotel in DC is already proving to be a problem. Foreign diplomats and American organizations are already booking stays, conference rooms, and the ballroom at Trump's DC hotel. Many critics have suggested that people are seeking to earn the incoming president's favor through his hotel.

Since Trump was elected, the hotel has already hosted the Embassy of Bahrain to celebrate its National Day; the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank; and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Mickael Damelincourt, the hotel's manager, told The Washington Post that the entire hotel is booked for the inauguration.

Another anonymous diplomat told The Post that "spending money at Trump's hotel is an easy, friendly gesture to the new president."

As reported by The Washington Post, Trump has yet to divest himself from the hotel, despite claiming he sold all stakes he has in Trump companies this Summer. And Trump remains the majority stockholder in the DC hotel, which means there is still a price tag attached to Trump's time — diplomats only need a hotel key card for access.

Instead of creating a blind trust, which presidents have historically done, Trump said he will transfer his positions in the Trump Organization to his children. While the move would technically disassociate Trump from his company, it does little to separate the company's potential benefits under his presidency.

Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Jr.'s close relationships with their father demonstrate just how closely aligned the Trump Organization now is to the incoming president. Ivanka even joined her father during an official meeting between Trump and Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister.

Rumors swirled across the internet when Ivanka also joined a call between Trump and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, who was commending his victory. Trump has struggled to secure permits for a building he wants to build in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but since Ivanka now runs that property, some questioned why she would speak to Macri during a congratulatory call. Trump's spokesman denied that Trump, Ivanka, or Macri discussed the building.

Also in question is Trump's interest in giving Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and fellow real estate developer, a position in the White House. While antinepotism laws prevent presidents from appointing family members to their cabinet, Kushner could accept an unpaid role, which would circumvent the issue. Kushner does not have a title at the Trump Organization, but his wife, Ivanka, does.

What's more, before announcing the closing of his charity the Trump Foundation, it hosted auctions where the winners would have met with Trump's children. A planned auction to win coffee with Ivanka was canceled after critics pointed out that bidders would essentially be buying time with the new first family.

The Trump Organization stands to benefit vastly from Trump's presidency even if he is not involved directly in operations. Beyond his construction interests in America and around the world, Trump has also borrowed significantly from state-run financial institutions in China and Russia.

When Trump is sworn in as president and his cabinet is approved, Trump will have near control over American fiscal policy, which includes interest rates, taxation, and basically all financial facets of the government. Adjusting the tax code or imposing sanctions on a country where he is in debt could allow Trump to circumvent repaying money he owes.

It is true that presidents are, albeit strangely, exempt from federal conflict-of-interest laws, but they are still prohibited from accepting payments from foreign governments. Considering Trump has several properties overseas and regularly does business with foreign governments, the Emoluments Clause could lead to Trump's impeachment.

The purpose of the Emoluments Clause is to prevent members of the government from accepting bribes from foreign countries, and it's actually a provision of the Constitution. The clause says no person holding public office can "accept of any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state," which might make it difficult for Trump to accept compensation from foreign entities staying at his DC hotel.

Even if Trump does divest or transfer control of his businesses to his children, as he has indicated he will, Trump could still be impeached under a law Obama passed in 2012. The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, also known as the Stock Act, was passed in 2012 and prevents any federal official from profiting from information they gain working in government.

Though Trump would relinquish control of his business, it is unlikely he would also relinquish contact with his children; it is just as unlikely that they would not be privy to information that could benefit the business. Avoiding insider trading is not the only issue presented by the Stock Act — government officials are required to divulge their financial records, which means he is also legally required to release his tax returns.

With these laws in mind, Trump will have to extricate himself completely from his companies by Jan. 20 or risk impeachment. However, an impeachment vote would have to pass through the Republican-held Congress, which also seems improbable.