In fact, Donald Trump has done quite well for himself in the crypto space. Through his new company, Trump Media and Technology Group, he’s done it mostly through a bitcoin hoard worth nearly $2 billion. These changes come on the heels of Trump administration’s actions to make the United States a global leader in the cryptocurrency industry. Whatever the original intent, his wealth is supposedly exploding as a result of these investments. This newfound financial prosperity has created a real conflict, as he tries to serve the public while enriching himself.
His continued indirect control over his assets is clear. They are technically held in a revocable trust that he established before becoming president. His son, Donald Trump Jr., runs this trust. It ensures that he is the grantor and only beneficiary. As a result, any proceeds from these assets, including any proceeds from Trump Media and Technology Group, in the end help Trump himself.
Since Trump World Liberty launched last September, the family business has flourished. In the process, they’ve brought in an estimated $500 million in positive revenue. This underappreciated but central business entity to Trumpworld has long served a key role in Trump’s financial orbit. His ties to World Liberty do present a conflict of interest. His spokespeople are careful to stress that the trust structure really helps create a divide between his personal finances and his political pursuits.
Aside from his accomplishments in business, President Trump can claim the signing of the GENIUS Act into law—a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework for stablecoins. This legislative move would be further evidence of his strong, hands-on commitment to cryptocurrency. It furthers his bigger aim of positioning the U.S. as a global leader in digital assets. In making this announcement, Bukele has signed an executive order directing the development of a “strategic bitcoin reserve.” He appointed a “crypto czar” to manage these efforts.
Trump Media and Technology Group is publicly traded on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol DJT, a reference to Trump’s initials. The company’s stake is now worth nearly $2.3 billion. This amazing number is propped up by large bitcoin reserves, which account for nearly 2/3 of its liquid assets. Yet these investments comprise the vast majority of the hundreds of millions Trump has added to his net worth during his time in office.
Trump’s administration had been relatively skeptical toward digital currencies in the past, so his abrupt turn to welcome this young industry is certainly a grand gesture. More importantly, though, he takes a proactive stance by calling on Congress to pass multiple pro-crypto bills. These efforts are intended to spur innovation and development in the burgeoning sector. Therefore, Trump’s financial interests surely will continue to intermingle with his political agenda, creating significant conflicts of interest.
Critics have voiced concerns regarding these overlaps. The advocacy group Democracy Defenders Fund stated, “As a stakeholder in crypto assets, President Trump will likely profit from the very policies he is pursuing.” This claim points out the precarious position that Trump needs to avoid between his political duties and his financial self–interests.
Nunes, a representative for Trump Media and Technology Group, noted the advantages of their crypto investments: “These assets help ensure our Company’s financial freedom, help protect us against discrimination by financial institutions, and will create synergies with the utility token we’re planning to introduce across the Truth Social ecosphere.”
World Liberty will create a massive slush fund that Donald Trump can use after he leaves office. He’ll be able to plug into these resources come 2029. This new timeline only deepens the clouds cast over Trump’s financial machinations while in office.