World

As guardrails fall, Trump blurs lines between presidency and personal profits

Before Mr. Trump returned to the White House in January, Amazon successfully bid million – almost three times the next highest bid – for a documentary about Melania Trump, more than 70% of which is reportedly going directly to the first lady, The Wall Street Journal reported. A December article, also in the Journal, described CEOs “rushing to curry favor” with Mr. Trump, including by donating millions to his inaugural fund.Moreover, the president and vice president are technically exempt from federal conflict-of-interest rules, since as heads of the entire government, they can’t just recuse themselves from specific policy matters. Congress hasn’t addressed this “presidential loophole” surrounding potential self-dealing, or expanded the financial disclosure requirements.As the nation’s chief executive, the president has an unrivaled megaphone.

Why We Wrote This

To the president’s supporters, such concerns are overblown. Mr. Trump has long had a reputation as an aggressive businessman unabashedly pursuing wealth and success, they say – and now he’s doing it for the country as well as for himself. Whether he’s following every ethics guideline or worrying about possible conflicts of interest doesn’t so much matter as long as he’s delivering results for America. Many also point to the business dealings of President Biden’s son Hunter as an example of how other first families have blatantly profiteered off the power of the presidency.

“All the way through Obama,” presidents generally followed the expectation that they wouldn’t use their own name to make money while serving in the White House, says Richard Painter, who was chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration. Mr. Trump broke that norm in his first term, Mr. Painter says, “But it’s gotten much more extreme.”Now, less than three months into his second term, experts on ethics say Mr. Trump is pushing boundaries in new ways, reaping millions of dollars in the process. They also say that, given the prominence of business dealings in Mr. Trump’s own life and in his family, it becomes hard to know whether personal interests are operating alongside his political priorities for the nation, in actions ranging from tariff negotiations to a reshaping of government.To be sure, Washington has had its share of ethics scandals in the past. There was the Crédit Mobilier scandal in the 1860s, when Washington politicians got kickbacks from a new railroad construction, and Teapot Dome in the 1920s, when the interior secretary accepted bribes from oil companies. There was Watergate in the 1970s, when President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign secretly used donor money to spy on Democrats and his administration covered it up.

“In the first administration, what Trump was doing to make money off his presidency closely mirrored how he had always made money,” says Jordan Libowitz, communications director for the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) in Washington. But this second Trump term, he says, “is shaping up to be fundamentally different, both in type and scale.”He did not sign an ethics pledge for his presidential transition process, as is called for by law. And hours after being sworn into office, he rescinded former President Joe Biden’s ethics rules – without issuing a pledge covering his own administration.Of course, pledges themselves don’t guarantee ethical behavior by presidents or their administrations. During his first term, Mr. Trump raised ethical red flags by refusing to divest or put his financial holdings in a blind trust as did other presidents, saying that he would maintain a “wall of separation” between himself and The Trump Organization, which would be run by his sons. Foreign dignitaries frequently booked stays at Mr. Trump’s golf clubs and hotels throughout his tenure, which critics called a blatant form of currying favor. And Mr. Trump himself spent substantial amounts of time at his own properties during those four years, often with other high-level government officials – at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money.Then there are the meme coins – $TRUMP and $MELANIA – that launched days before Mr. Trump’s inauguration. Meme coins, a type of highly volatile cryptocurrency originating from an internet meme, are viewed skeptically even by many in the crypto industry. $TRUMP’s market cap surpassed billion shortly after launch, but has since fallen to .2 billion. Cryptocurrency prices briefly jumped in March when Mr. Trump signed an executive order to create a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” saying the move would help the nation harness “the power of digital assets for our prosperity.”

Tesla cars on the White House lawn

This year, President Trump has not made such a promise.

Mr. Trump has made money from licensing agreements for years, lending his name to various forms of merchandise, a practice that he’s continued since reentering the White House. According to a 2024 candidate disclosure form, while running for office that year Mr. Trump earned 0,000 in royalties from “God Bless the USA Bible,” a Trump-endorsed Bible that includes copied text of the U.S. Constitution, Pledge of Allegiance, and the chorus of Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA.” Mr. Trump also earned almost .5 million in royalties from the book “Letters to Trump” and over 0,000 in royalties from the book “A MAGA Journey.”

But “None of these examples [involved] a president having business interests where he was directly benefiting from his decisions as president,” says Kedric Payne, senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center. With the first two examples, the politicians in question at least could argue that they were trying to deliver railroads or energy for the American people. And when the Watergate scandal was exposed, President Nixon resigned.Still, ethics watchdogs say presidential self-dealing appears to have reached an unprecedented scale, with potentially huge amounts of money at stake. CREW estimates that during his first stint in the White House Mr. Trump made, at a minimum, hundreds of millions of dollars – separate from the question of whether ethical lines were crossed or not. That far exceeds the 0,000 salary that he has declined. And it doesn’t include other administration officials and advisers with apparent conflicts of interest who could benefit personally from access to information and influence.

The potential conflicts of interest here are considerable: A foreign government, for example, could buy up shares and gain leverage over the president of the United States.

U.S. presidents traditionally have been expected to keep their own financial interests separate from political ones. President Donald Trump’s actions have defied norms and are causing some ethics watchdogs to say new laws are needed.“I LOVE $TRUMP – SO COOL!!! The Greatest of them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” wrote Mr. Trump on his media site, Truth Social, on a recent Sunday. Within the hour, the price of his meme coin, $TRUMP, had surged 12%.

The “presidential loophole”

“President Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. There are no conflicts of interest,” Anna Kelly, deputy press secretary for the White House, emailed in response to an inquiry for this article.

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., which manages the president’s social media site, Truth Social, went public a year ago and roughly doubled Mr. Trump’s net worth, putting him back on Forbes’ list of 400 richest people. Over the past few months, the company has had wide swings in share prices, with some analysts arguing that DJT – as it is known by ticker – is overvalued.Last month, Mr. Trump held what amounted to a live advertisement for Tesla cars at the White House with CEO and “special government employee” Elon Musk, who afterward signaled he wanted to donate 0 million to the Trump political operation (Mr. Musk was the top donor in the 2024 campaign, giving nearly 0 million to Republican candidates and groups). On March 19, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Americans to “buy Tesla” stock during a Fox News appearance.

The U.S. Constitution establishes that conflicts of interest should be viewed as a grave threat to the body politic – especially when foreign governments are the ones seeking influence. Presidents are prohibited from accepting foreign gifts by the Constitution’s emoluments clause. Some lawsuits during Mr. Trump’s first term charged he had violated this standard, but the Supreme Court moved to dismiss those cases as he left office. One challenge is that the Constitution does not lay out a clear mechanism for enforcing the emoluments clause, and Congress has yet to pass legislation to do so.
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Unlike in 2017, The Trump Organization this year has not pledged to pause any foreign real estate deals, only agreeing not to transact with foreign governments. Still, LIV Golf, which is funded by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, rented Mr. Trump’s Doral, Florida, golf course for a tournament this past weekend. And a new Trump Tower is being built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Truth Social and Trump meme coins

“There are only so many hotel rooms you can book. There are only so many rounds of golf one can play,” says Mr. Libowitz. “Trump moved from physical goods and properties to digital ones.”Even if Mr. Trump does eventually sign such an order, it’s unclear who will enforce it. In his first week in office, he fired the director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, as well as 17 – or about 1 in 4 – of the inspectors general who serve in watchdog roles at various federal agencies (disregarding the 30-day notice to Congress required by law).

Additionally, between T Retail LLC and T Tower Retail LLC, Mr. Trump took in more than .5 million from retail goods, not including Trump Ice LLC, which brought in over 0,000 from Trump-branded spring water. He has put his name on gold watches costing up to 0,000 each. GetTrumpSneakers.com, where supporters can buy gold “Never Surrender” high-tops for 9 and preorder “Victory 47” cologne for 9, reiterates in its fine print that the site “has nothing to do with any political campaign.”But cryptocurrency values are only one part of the moneymaking equation: Coin issuers like Mr. Trump’s business entities make money on both coin sales and trading fees. By some estimates those fees have reached 0 million for the Trump coins. “He makes money on crypto whether it goes up or down,” says Mr. Payne. “For Trump it’s just win, win, win.”

Then-candidate Donald Trump (center left) greets people at the driving range ahead of the final round of LIV Golf Miami, at Trump National Doral Golf Club, April 7, 2024, in Doral, Florida. LIV Golf held another tournament this past weekend at Mr. Trump’s club in Doral.But while putting his name on bottled water and pricey watches may mark a break from presidential decorum, along with maintaining his real estate business, it may pale in comparison with the profits Mr. Trump stands to make from his publicly traded media company and cryptocurrency, say experts.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

KP News Desk

As guardrails fall, Trump blurs lines between presidency and personal profits

Photo for representational purposes only

Additionally, between T Retail LLC and T Tower Retail LLC, Mr. Trump took in more than .5 million from retail goods, not including Trump Ice LLC, which brought in over 0,000 from Trump-branded spring water. He has put his name on gold watches costing up to 0,000 each. GetTrumpSneakers.com, where supporters can buy gold “Never Surrender” high-tops for 9 and preorder “Victory 47” cologne for 9, reiterates in its fine print that the site “has nothing to do with any political campaign.”“I LOVE $TRUMP – SO COOL!!! The Greatest of them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” wrote Mr. Trump on his media site, Truth Social, on a recent Sunday. Within the hour, the price of his meme coin, $TRUMP, had surged 12%.Unlike in 2017, The Trump Organization this year has not pledged to pause any foreign real estate deals, only agreeing not to transact with foreign governments. Still, LIV Golf, which is funded by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, rented Mr. Trump’s Doral, Florida, golf course for a tournament this past weekend. And a new Trump Tower is being built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Table of Contents

Why We Wrote This

He did not sign an ethics pledge for his presidential transition process, as is called for by law. And hours after being sworn into office, he rescinded former President Joe Biden’s ethics rules – without issuing a pledge covering his own administration.

U.S. presidents traditionally have been expected to keep their own financial interests separate from political ones. President Donald Trump’s actions have defied norms and are causing some ethics watchdogs to say new laws are needed.“President Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. There are no conflicts of interest,” Anna Kelly, deputy press secretary for the White House, emailed in response to an inquiry for this article.To be sure, Washington has had its share of ethics scandals in the past. There was the Crédit Mobilier scandal in the 1860s, when Washington politicians got kickbacks from a new railroad construction, and Teapot Dome in the 1920s, when the interior secretary accepted bribes from oil companies. There was Watergate in the 1970s, when President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign secretly used donor money to spy on Democrats and his administration covered it up.

Moreover, the president and vice president are technically exempt from federal conflict-of-interest rules, since as heads of the entire government, they can’t just recuse themselves from specific policy matters. Congress hasn’t addressed this “presidential loophole” surrounding potential self-dealing, or expanded the financial disclosure requirements.As the nation’s chief executive, the president has an unrivaled megaphone.This year, President Trump has not made such a promise.Now, less than three months into his second term, experts on ethics say Mr. Trump is pushing boundaries in new ways, reaping millions of dollars in the process. They also say that, given the prominence of business dealings in Mr. Trump’s own life and in his family, it becomes hard to know whether personal interests are operating alongside his political priorities for the nation, in actions ranging from tariff negotiations to a reshaping of government.

Tesla cars on the White House lawn

The potential conflicts of interest here are considerable: A foreign government, for example, could buy up shares and gain leverage over the president of the United States.Last month, Mr. Trump held what amounted to a live advertisement for Tesla cars at the White House with CEO and “special government employee” Elon Musk, who afterward signaled he wanted to donate 0 million to the Trump political operation (Mr. Musk was the top donor in the 2024 campaign, giving nearly 0 million to Republican candidates and groups). On March 19, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Americans to “buy Tesla” stock during a Fox News appearance.

Of course, pledges themselves don’t guarantee ethical behavior by presidents or their administrations. During his first term, Mr. Trump raised ethical red flags by refusing to divest or put his financial holdings in a blind trust as did other presidents, saying that he would maintain a “wall of separation” between himself and The Trump Organization, which would be run by his sons. Foreign dignitaries frequently booked stays at Mr. Trump’s golf clubs and hotels throughout his tenure, which critics called a blatant form of currying favor. And Mr. Trump himself spent substantial amounts of time at his own properties during those four years, often with other high-level government officials – at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money.

Since the 1960s, almost every U.S. president has acknowledged he should not personally profit off the job – or, at least, should avoid the appearance of doing so. Early in their terms, Democratic and Republican leaders alike have issued ethics guidelines for their administration. President Donald Trump did so shortly after taking office in 2017, using some of the same language as Bill Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s ethics pledges.Still, ethics watchdogs say presidential self-dealing appears to have reached an unprecedented scale, with potentially huge amounts of money at stake. CREW estimates that during his first stint in the White House Mr. Trump made, at a minimum, hundreds of millions of dollars – separate from the question of whether ethical lines were crossed or not. That far exceeds the 0,000 salary that he has declined. And it doesn’t include other administration officials and advisers with apparent conflicts of interest who could benefit personally from access to information and influence.

The “presidential loophole”

But while putting his name on bottled water and pricey watches may mark a break from presidential decorum, along with maintaining his real estate business, it may pale in comparison with the profits Mr. Trump stands to make from his publicly traded media company and cryptocurrency, say experts.

Even if Mr. Trump does eventually sign such an order, it’s unclear who will enforce it. In his first week in office, he fired the director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, as well as 17 – or about 1 in 4 – of the inspectors general who serve in watchdog roles at various federal agencies (disregarding the 30-day notice to Congress required by law).“All the way through Obama,” presidents generally followed the expectation that they wouldn’t use their own name to make money while serving in the White House, says Richard Painter, who was chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration. Mr. Trump broke that norm in his first term, Mr. Painter says, “But it’s gotten much more extreme.”To the president’s supporters, such concerns are overblown. Mr. Trump has long had a reputation as an aggressive businessman unabashedly pursuing wealth and success, they say – and now he’s doing it for the country as well as for himself. Whether he’s following every ethics guideline or worrying about possible conflicts of interest doesn’t so much matter as long as he’s delivering results for America. Many also point to the business dealings of President Biden’s son Hunter as an example of how other first families have blatantly profiteered off the power of the presidency.

“There are only so many hotel rooms you can book. There are only so many rounds of golf one can play,” says Mr. Libowitz. “Trump moved from physical goods and properties to digital ones.”

Truth Social and Trump meme coins

“We’ve never seen anything remotely like this before,” says Richard Briffault, a Columbia law professor and reporter for the American Law Institute’s project on principles of government ethics.Before Mr. Trump returned to the White House in January, Amazon successfully bid million – almost three times the next highest bid – for a documentary about Melania Trump, more than 70% of which is reportedly going directly to the first lady, The Wall Street Journal reported. A December article, also in the Journal, described CEOs “rushing to curry favor” with Mr. Trump, including by donating millions to his inaugural fund.

But cryptocurrency values are only one part of the moneymaking equation: Coin issuers like Mr. Trump’s business entities make money on both coin sales and trading fees. By some estimates those fees have reached 0 million for the Trump coins. “He makes money on crypto whether it goes up or down,” says Mr. Payne. “For Trump it’s just win, win, win.”But “None of these examples [involved] a president having business interests where he was directly benefiting from his decisions as president,” says Kedric Payne, senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center. With the first two examples, the politicians in question at least could argue that they were trying to deliver railroads or energy for the American people. And when the Watergate scandal was exposed, President Nixon resigned.

Then there are the meme coins – $TRUMP and $MELANIA – that launched days before Mr. Trump’s inauguration. Meme coins, a type of highly volatile cryptocurrency originating from an internet meme, are viewed skeptically even by many in the crypto industry. $TRUMP’s market cap surpassed billion shortly after launch, but has since fallen to .2 billion.

Cryptocurrency prices briefly jumped in March when Mr. Trump signed an executive order to create a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” saying the move would help the nation harness “the power of digital assets for our prosperity.”The U.S. Constitution establishes that conflicts of interest should be viewed as a grave threat to the body politic – especially when foreign governments are the ones seeking influence. Presidents are prohibited from accepting foreign gifts by the Constitution’s emoluments clause. Some lawsuits during Mr. Trump’s first term charged he had violated this standard, but the Supreme Court moved to dismiss those cases as he left office. One challenge is that the Constitution does not lay out a clear mechanism for enforcing the emoluments clause, and Congress has yet to pass legislation to do so.

Related Topics:Personal Profits T Retail LLC Trump

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Trump Allegedly Urged El Salvador President to Accommodate U.S. Criminals: Are ‘Homegrowns’ Next?

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2025

KP News Desk

Trump Allegedly Urged El Salvador President to Accommodate U.S. Criminals: Are ‘Homegrowns’ Next?

In a recent Oval Office meeting, President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele tackled a surprising topic: the idea of sending U.S. criminals to El Salvador. The conversation also touched on a Maryland father, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador alongside Tren de Aragua prisoners due to a clerical error. Despite a Supreme Court order to bring Garcia back to the U.S., the issue seemed overshadowed during Monday’s talks, with Trump focusing on a bold proposal to relocate American prisoners abroad.

El Salvador’s Mega-Prison: A Model for Tough-on-Crime Policies

El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca took center stage in the discussion. Opened in January 2023, this high-security mega-prison is the largest in the Americas, capable of holding up to 40,000 inmates. Built under Bukele’s leadership, CECOT houses the country’s most notorious gang members and terrorists. With its imposing electric fences, 19 watchtowers, and over 1,000 armed guards, the fortress symbolizes Bukele’s tough-on-crime approach, which has slashed violence in a nation once dubbed the “murder capital of the world.”

A viral video circulating online captured Trump urging Bukele to expand facilities like CECOT to accommodate “homegrown” U.S. criminals. The former president doubled down during a joint press conference, leaving little room for doubt about his stance. “I’d like to go a step further,” Trump said, addressing Pam Bondi. “I don’t know what the laws are—we always have to obey the laws—but we also have homegrown criminals that push people into subways. I’d like to include them in the group of people to get them out of the country.”

This unexpected proposal has sparked debate about the feasibility and legality of sending American convicts overseas. As the conversation between Trump and Bukele gains traction, many are left wondering: could U.S. prisoners soon find themselves behind bars in El Salvador?

World

Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Targeted in Arson Attack: What We Know

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2025

KP News Desk

Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Targeted in Arson Attack: What We Know

Image for representational purposes only

A shocking arson attack rocked the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg early Sunday, April 13, 2025, forcing the governor, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and another family member to evacuate. The blaze, which caused significant damage to the historic 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion, has left the community reeling and authorities scrambling to uncover the motive behind this targeted act of violence.

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Suspect Arrested in Harrisburg Arson Case

Pennsylvania State Police arrested 38-year-old Harrisburg resident Cody Balmer in connection with the fire. According to officials, Balmer scaled a nearly 7-foot iron fence, evaded state troopers, and broke into the residence, where he allegedly set the fire using homemade incendiary devices. Balmer turned himself in on Sunday afternoon and now faces serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. An affidavit reveals Balmer expressed anger toward Governor Shapiro, even stating he would have attacked him with a hammer if they had crossed paths.

A Terrifying Wake-Up Call

The ordeal began around 2 a.m. when state troopers, part of the governor’s security detail, pounded on the family’s door to alert them to the flames. “We woke up to bangs on the door, and thanks to the quick actions of law enforcement, we got out safely,” Shapiro said during an emotional press conference. The fire, which started in a room often used for public events and art displays, left behind charred walls, destroyed furniture, and ash-covered floors. Photos released by the state show remnants of a Passover Seder the family had hosted just hours earlier, including a singed “Passover Crafts” sign.

Shapiro Vows Resilience Amid Tragedy

Governor Shapiro, a prominent Democrat elected in 2022, addressed the attack with a mix of gratitude and defiance. “This wasn’t just an attack on my family—it was an attack on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said, choking back tears. He expressed deep appreciation for the first responders who extinguished the blaze and for the outpouring of support from across the state and nation, including messages from Vice President JD Vance and Senator John Fetterman. Shapiro also reaffirmed his commitment to his Jewish faith, noting that the family would celebrate their second Passover Seder that evening. “No one will stop us from living our faith proudly,” he declared.

A Historic Residence Scarred

Built in 1968 along the Susquehanna River, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence has housed eight governors and serves as both a home and a cultural hub, showcasing art exhibits on its first floor. The fire caused extensive damage, with images revealing torched ceilings, blackened walls, and a devastated piano. Despite the destruction, Shapiro promised, “We’ll rebuild stronger than ever.” Authorities, including the FBI’s Philadelphia field office, are assisting with the investigation, and a security review is underway to prevent future incidents.

Questions Linger as Investigation Continues

While Balmer’s arrest marks a significant step, many questions remain unanswered. Officials have not yet determined a specific motive, though Shapiro described the attack as “targeted.” Balmer’s prior run-ins with the law, including a 2016 guilty plea for forgery and theft and a pending 2023 simple assault case, have raised concerns about his background. The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office has indicated that federal charges may also be filed.

A Call for Unity and Healing

In the wake of the attack, Shapiro called for an end to the rising tide of political violence. “This kind of violence is not okay—it’s becoming far too common, and it has to stop,” he urged. The incident comes amid heightened tensions, with elected officials across the country facing increasing threats. For now, the Shapiro family is safe, and the community is rallying around them, but the scars of this terrifying night will take time to heal.

This article is based on information from trusted sources and will be updated as new details emerge.

World

Northwest Austin Explosion: Multiple Homes Damaged, Several Injured in US Blast

On a quiet Sunday morning, a devastating explosion tore through a Northwest Austin neighborhood, leaving a trail of destruction and uncertainty. Around 11:25 a.m., a powerful blast at 10407 Double Spur Loop, near Spicewood Springs Road and US 183, leveled a two-story home and rattled houses for miles. The incident, described as an “unknown event” […]

Published

5 days ago

April 13, 2025

KP News Desk

Northwest Austin Explosion: Multiple Homes Damaged, Several Injured in US Blast

Explosion rocks Northwest Austin in US; several houses damaged, multiple injured (Picture credit: X/@AustinCrazyTrn)

Northwest Austin Blast Leaves Neighborhood in Shock

Firefighters arrived swiftly at the scene, rescuing one person trapped in the rubble of the collapsed home. The individual was quickly handed over to Austin-Travis County EMS for medical care, though details about their condition remain undisclosed. According to local reports, multiple people were injured in the blast, but authorities have yet to confirm the full extent of the injuries.

The explosion sent shockwaves through the community, with nearby homes suffering significant structural damage. Burned insulation littered the streets, and images shared online showed residents navigating piles of debris as emergency teams cordoned off the area for safety. Neighboring properties were evacuated as a precaution, leaving families displaced and anxious about what comes next.

“I was just sitting at home when everything started shaking—it felt like something crashed into my house,” one resident shared online. Another described the moment, saying, “Did anyone else in Northwest Austin feel that huge boom? It was terrifying.”

Witnesses reported hearing a deafening roar followed by thick smoke rising from the site. The blast was so intense that it was felt in nearby cities like Leander and Cedar Park, prompting local police to clarify that the incident occurred in Austin. “We know many of you heard and felt the loud explosion, but it`