Trump’s Presidency Sparks Business Boom for Family Empire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump is using his second term to actively promote ventures that benefit his family businesses, generating hundreds of millions from crypto, real estate, and merchandising. Critics call it unprecedented corruption, pointing to blurred lines between official duties and private profit. With minimal oversight from a GOP-led Congress and conservative Supreme Court, ethics watchdogs warn of long-term damage to democratic norms.
Trump’s Business Gains Quick Looks
- Crypto Windfall: Trump-linked cryptocurrencies have earned over $320M, with some backed by foreign investments.
- Global Deals: Trump’s family is involved in real estate developments in the Middle East and Europe.
- Melania’s Media Move: First Lady signs $40M documentary deal with Amazon, despite past clashes.
- Merchandising Machine: Products include Trump shoes, bibles, and guitars, promoted via Truth Social.
- Political Access: Crypto investors received White House tours and private dinners in exchange for coin support.
- Regulatory Shifts: Trump’s policies, including deregulation of crypto, benefit businesses tied to his family.
- Foreign Favoritism: UAE granted AI chip access after investing $2B in Trump-linked stablecoin.
- SEC Retreats: Under Trump, SEC dropped final enforcement against Binance, aiding convicted founder CZ.
- Oversight Erosion: Ethics rules dismantled, no blind trust, Congress unwilling to challenge conflicts.
- Historic Departure: Experts label the arrangement “Mount Everest of corruption.”
Trump’s Presidency Sparks Business Boom for Family Empire
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — July 18, 2025 — President Donald Trump’s second term has been defined by a striking convergence of political power and personal profit. From cryptocurrencies and luxury merchandise to foreign investments and global resorts, the Trump family empire is flourishing like never before.
While many past presidents took steps to distance themselves from their private holdings, Trump has done the opposite. His children manage the Trump Organization, which has expanded aggressively since Trump returned to office. The ventures span from Middle Eastern real estate deals to digital currencies and merchandise bearing his name.
The sheer scope of the profits is staggering. According to analysts, Trump-linked crypto coins have already generated more than $320 million, with some coins receiving billions in foreign funding, notably from UAE-controlled wealth funds and Chinese crypto moguls.
From “Drain the Swamp” to Fill the Vault
Trump once vowed to “drain the swamp,” but critics argue he’s now institutionalizing self-enrichment. During his first term, he nominally distanced himself from business operations, though he never used a blind trust. Now, there’s no pretense of separation. His family manages crypto ventures and development deals while he publicly promotes them via Truth Social and presidential platforms.
“It’s the Mount Everest of corruption,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
His sons, Eric and Donald Jr., manage a sprawling empire, and First Lady Melania Trump has landed a $40 million film deal with Amazon, which happens to be a major government contractor. Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are developing a luxury island resort with the Albanian government.
Cryptocurrency: Trump’s Golden Goose
Trump has pivoted sharply from crypto critic to crypto crusader. Once dismissing it as “thin air,” he now calls for making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world.”
- $WLFI (World Liberty Financial Coin): Earned $320M+
- $TRUMP: Meme coin launched at the “Crypto Ball,” spiked to $70 before settling near $10
- USD1: A stablecoin backed by a $2 billion UAE fund, indirectly investing in Binance
His public crypto events, like private dinners for top coin investors and White House tours, are both promotional and profitable. As investors pour in, the Trump family rakes in transaction fees and equity.
According to Chainalysis, Trump’s crypto ventures are now worth hundreds of millions in recurrent fees, with expectations of annual returns up to $80 million from just the USD1 stablecoin.
Foreign Influence and Favor Trading
Investors like Justin Sun and Changpen Zhao (CZ) have capitalized on Trump’s rise. CZ’s Binance, which faced severe penalties under the Biden administration, saw enforcement cases dropped in 2025. In return, Binance played a key role in promoting Trump’s stablecoin.
“We’ve created a powerful industry,” Trump said when asked about conflicts of interest. “That’s more important than what we invest in.”
Soon after the $2B investment from UAE, Trump approved access for UAE to restricted AI chip technology—a move foreign policy analysts say directly benefits his coin investors.
Regulatory and Legal Backlash? Unlikely
- Congress is Republican-led and unwilling to pursue oversight.
- SCOTUS ruling last year gave Trump broad immunity for actions taken while in office.
- Trump’s own political committees have spent over $25M at his properties since 2015.
Even Trump’s cryptocurrency legislation, passed this week, includes a ban on Congress members issuing personal coins — but not the president.
“It’s like the Trump Hotel from the first term,” said Hilary Allen, law professor at American University. “Only now, he doesn’t need a hotel. Crypto is unlimited.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.