Donald Trump's company 'charged his son Eric for using family golf course to host cancer charity events'

President's second son has raised millions for leading children's hospital over a decade

Donald Trump's son Eric Trump waits to enter an escalator in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan (REUTERS)

Donald Trump's company billed his son Eric for holding charity events at a Trump-branded golf course despite claims the fundraisers were staged near-free of charge on family property, it has been reported.

Mr Trump's second son, Eric, has raised more than $11m (£8.5m) over 10 years for the renowned St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee, largely by hosting golf tournaments through his Eric Trump Foundation, Forbes reported. He has raised $5m more with other groups.

Held at the Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, New York, the events charge guests thousands of dollars for tickets and Eric Trump has said use of the family property means almost all their donations will make it to the hospital, which is a centre for cancer research.

But according to Forbes' analysis of financial documents, the Trump Organisation billed the foundation for hundreds of thousands of dollars — up to $322,000 in 2015.

The cost of running the tournament rocketed after 2011, the site reported, after sources told it now-President Trump ordered the Eric Trump Foundation be billed for using the Westchester site.

And a $100,000 donation from the Donald J Trump Foundation to the Eric Trump Foundation was made to cover the initial surge in costs, it is claimed, with the money eventually landing at the elder Trump's private business.

Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr are now joint heads of the Trump Organisation, following their father's election as President.

A spokeswoman for the Trump Organisation told CNBC: “During the past decade, the Eric Trump Foundation has raised over $16.3m for St Jude Children's Research hospital while maintaining an expense ratio of just 12.3 per cent.

“The Eric Trump Foundation was also responsible for building a $20m [intensive care unit] which treats the sickest children anywhere in the world suffering from the most catastrophic terminal illnesses.

“Contrary to recent reports, at no time did the Trump Organisation profit in any way from the foundation or any of its activities.

“While people can disagree on political issues, to infer malicious intent on a charity that has changed so many lives, is not only shameful but is truly disgusting.

“At the end of the day the only people who lose are the children of St Jude and other incredibly worthy causes.”