2 charities cancel Mar-a-Lago events amid Trump backlash

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Two major charities are cancelling fundraisers at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort as the president faces a backlash from his comments about violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Cleveland Clinic says in a statement that it decided not to hold is annual event there after “careful consideration” of a number of issues. It didn’t elaborate. Doctors, nurses, medical students of the Ohio hospital signed a public letter earlier this year objecting to the choice of venue given President Trump’s positions on a variety of issue.

Its fundraiser has been held at Mar-a-Lago the past eight years.

The American Cancer Society plans to move its 2018 Island of Palm Beach gala from the resort, too. In a statement, it is citing its “commitment to diversity.” A spokesperson declined to elaborate.