Donald Trump attempted to establish a nearly $1.8 billion fund, potentially benefiting his supporters, as part of a resolution of a lawsuit he initiated against his own government. He reportedly argued that he "gave up a lot of money in allowing" the fund to be created.
However, following significant backlash from Congress and the courts, the White House is now reconsidering the fund, which could reopen the possibility of the lawsuit and Trump’s potential financial gain.
Trump has consistently faced scrutiny for leveraging his presidency for personal financial advantage, a pattern that has encompassed everything from merchandise deals and crypto ventures to hosting high-dollar political and official events at his properties.
When questioned about potential self-dealing, the White House dismissed such allegations as "the same, tired narrative that Democrats have pushed against President Trump, his family, and his administration for a decade."
Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated, "President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public — which is why they overwhelmingly re-elected him to this office, despite years of lies and false accusations against him and his businesses from the fake news media. There are no conflicts of interest."
Among the key instances where Trump, his children, and allies have reportedly reaped rewards are:
Lawsuits and Deals Favoring His Family Last year, Trump sought $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department following an FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, as part of an investigation into classified records.
In January, Trump, his two eldest sons, and the Trump Organization filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department after a former IRS contractor illegally leaked his tax returns.
In an effort to resolve these cases, Trump’s administration agreed to distribute $1.776 billion in taxpayer funds to individuals claiming they were targeted by past administrations for political prosecution.
This group included Trump supporters incarcerated for their involvement in the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack.
While the Justice Department now states it will comply with a ruling temporarily blocking this fund after congressional outcry, less attention has been drawn to another part of the deal that allowed the government to drop pending IRS audits of Trump and his relatives.
Separately, the Air Force has agreed to purchase interceptor drones from Powerus, a Florida-based company linked to Trump’s family. ProPublica also reported that direct White House intervention preceded the Pentagon’s agreement to loan $620 million to Vulcan Elements, a North Carolina startup connected to Donald Trump Jr.
Kimberly Benza, a spokesperson for the Trump Organization, denied any ethical conflicts between the White House and the family business. "The Trump Organization operates completely separate from the presidency and is in full compliance with all ethics and conflict-of-interest laws," Benza stated.
Regarding Powerus, Benza clarified that Eric Trump was "a passive investor in a vehicle that, among many others, holds an interest" in the company, but was not involved in its decision-making or management.
Financial Market Trading Trump has engaged in stock and bond trading at an unprecedented level for a sitting U.S. president.
Office of Government Ethics filings reveal over 3,600 stock trades in the first quarter of 2026 alone, transactions exceeding $100 million in value; many of these involved substantial purchases of shares in technology and artificial intelligence giants such as Nvidia, Dell, Oracle and Palantir, occurring before his administration took policy actions that favored these companies.
Similar disclosures last year showed Trump acquired over $300 million in bonds issued by companies, states, and municipalities, even as he repeatedly urged the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates—a move that could enhance the value of his holdings.
Crypto Ventures: Trump’s family has seen significant profits in the cryptocurrency sector since his re-election. A key driver has been the $TRUMP meme coin, announced the day before Trump took office, with 220 top investors invited to a subsequent private reception with the president.
His family also holds a controlling stake in World Liberty Financial, a crypto firm co-founded with special envoy Steve Witkoff and managed by his son Zach.
The firm, which has its own stablecoin, USD1, received a major boost when an investment fund linked to the United Arab Emirates acquired a large stake just before Trump took office.
Subsequently, MGX, an Abu Dhabi state-backed investment firm, pledged to use $2 billion in USD to purchase a stake in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, further bolstering World Liberty Financial.
Trump-Branded Bonanza Beyond digital assets, numerous companies pay to license Trump’s name for physical products, ranging from Bibles, guitars, and sneakers to watches, fragrances, and a gold-hued cellphone.
Trump has promoted many of these items on social media, particularly during his 2024 campaign, and they have also made conspicuous appearances at the White House.
During visits last summer, Trump reportedly showed French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a merchandise room off the Oval Office stocked with goods for sale on his website.
Months later, video emerged of Trump at the White House spraying Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa with bottles of his "Victory 47" cologne and perfume, which he presented as a gift.
Trump also displayed hats emblazoned with "Trump 2028" on the Resolute Desk during a meeting with congressional Democrats last year. In a televised Cabinet meeting in May, every seat featured a red hat commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, each selling for $55 on Trump’s website.
Paydays for the President’s Properties The Republican National Committee and various political groups associated with Trump and the GOP have hosted fundraisers and political events at Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, and his golf clubs in Doral, Florida, and Sterling, Virginia.
The LIV Golf league, controlled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has held events at Doral. Trump is also set to host the G20 summit there in November. This means world leaders, support staff, business executives, journalists, and other attendees will be paying the Trump Organization, which acquired Doral in 2012.
Trump has attempted to preempt criticism of self-dealing regarding the summit, stating that government attendees will be billed "at-cost" and "We will not make any money on it."
Conservative groups and Republican committees have spent at least $26 million at Trump properties since 2015, with the actual figure likely higher as some groups are not required to detail their spending.
Renovation and Construction Projects Qatar gifted Trump a $400 million jet, which he intends to use as Air Force One and later store at his presidential library. This gift has undergone extensive taxpayer-funded rebuilding and security upgrades, which lawmakers estimate could exceed $1 billion.
Trump has also commissioned numerous renovation projects intended to leave his mark on Washington, often passing the costs to taxpayers.
He initially insisted that wealthy donors would fund the $400 million ballroom he demolished the White House's East Wing only to seek $1 billion in federal funding for security upgrades, he claims the military and Secret Service requested as part of the project.
At least $15 million in public funds is allocated for a ceremonial arch Trump desires at the entrance to the nation’s capital. The National Park Service is also paying a contractor $13.1 million to carry out the Trump-directed renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
