Once again, noble actions by the previous administration become sins in the Trump era.

Try to think back to those times President Obama and First Lady Michelle suffered through the full-volume wrath from the media over their personal endorsements of private businesses during their years in the White House. The operative word there is ‘’try’’, as there would never be something so crass as a political criticism leveled at the Obamas by the press. But this is ‘’The Trump Era’’, and all actions that were previously forgivable or ignorable during the 8-year vacation by the media can now be elevated to high crimes.

The press is currently in the process of engaging in a paroxysm of pintos, and they are so blinded with rage towards the Trump family they cannot help but be played when they are so obviously being trolled. You want to say that they almost cannot help themselves, but the fact is ‘’almost’’ can easily be struck from that sentence. The media is so reactive when it comes to heaping scorn on the President they are incapable of pausing and reviewing their work.

For a week now the press and social media have been in outrage mode over the fact that the President of Goya Foods, Bob Unanue, during a White House visit had words of praise for President Trump. “We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder,” said Unanue during the visit. This led to headlines and personal accounts blaring the desire to boycott Goya products. There are indications this has led to the opposite effect.

It was obvious this attempt to cancel a company was strictly arrived at through emotions, but the claims being made were truly idiotic. Critics alleged that Unanue’s words were an insult to the Latino community, because he praised a racist President who hates immigrants. Moving past the facts that Donald Trump is a second-generation American from immigrants and his wife is herself a naturalized citizen, what was never reported in the outrage was why Unanue was at the White House. He was part of a group of Hispanic business owners who were part of a commission called the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative, and they were present as President Trump signed an Executive Order that aided Latino economic and educational opportunities.

Soooooo racist.

In response to the uproar Unanue refused to even consider an apology. He was steadfast in his comments, and this only enraged the press more. Yesterday the Trumps toyed with the media, and the rabid reporters responded in predictable fashion. Ivanka Trump posted a photo of herself holding a can of Goya beans, and the hysterics began. Then last night President Trump posted a shot of himself at his desk in the Oval Office with a collection of Goya products. It led to a press corps-meltdown, highlighted by Chris Cuomo delivering a Belleview straight-jacket performance in prime time. 

To give you an idea of the lack of concern over this very issue during the previous administration we can look to one of President Obama’s pet projects. He was intent on getting green energy to be a cornerstone of his administration. One company was so frequently promoted by President Obama that the name Solyndra became the shorthand for his failed green energy projects. As Cuomo is ashen faced that Trump had a shaker of Adobo spice on the Resolute Desk note he was never enraged when Obama actually invoked ‘’Solyndra’’ during a State of the Union Address.

Of course the defiantly upset throngs on the left will accuse this as being an example of ‘’whataboutism’’ – their favorite deflection away from their hypocrisies. To stem that wan defense we will instead draw up a direct correlation, in order to help them see the clarity.

In all of this media outrage there have been repeated claims that the President, and his daughter, have broken the ethics law prohibiting endorsing a company directly as members of the Executive Branch. In order to make this claim prevarication or ignorance is at play. These ethics laws cited do not apply to the President’s office, so that is a non-starter. As for Ivanka getting tossed behind the grey bars over black beans — that also will not happen. 

The ethics code that the salivating press is referring to is 5 CFR § 2635.702, which describes the act of endorsements under the Standards of Ethical Conduct for employees of the Executive Branch. The very first sentence details why there will be no charges brought. (Emphasis for clarity.)

An employee shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity, including nonprofit organizations of which the employee is an officer or member, and persons with whom the employee has or seeks employment or business relations

At no time in these posts from Ivanka or the president can private gain be shown, can a personal affiliation be established, or any official position be illustrated. They backed a company without a personal payoff, a company who was working directly on a White House initiative. Exactly like Michelle Obama had done — with this EXACT – SAME – COMPANY.

The First Lady was involved in a project in conjunction with the USDA regarding healthy food choices for families and labeling of products to aid in smarter food decisions. One of the key companies aiding the White House, according to this official release from the Office of the First Lady, was Goya Foods. And for accuracy, do note who is named specifically in this release.

In support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, Goya Foods, the largest, Hispanic-owned U.S. food company, is committing resources to promote the USDA’s MyPlate, or MiPlato, a new food group symbol to remind families about making healthy meal choices with easy “how-tos” about proper portions. Mrs. Obama joined Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods, and leading Latino organizations to promote their nationwide effort to encourage health and wellness in communities across the country. Goya Foods is rolling out numerous steps to help communities enjoy healthy, tasty and affordable meals

Same company, same chief executive named, same type of partnering with an administration, but a hysterically different reaction from the press. I think it is safe to say that Ivanka and President Trump are likely to incur the same level of punishment that Michelle Obama received.