There have been multiple investigations and reports that estimate the Trump family earned billions of dollars during Trump’s first presidency and during the first year of his second presidency. That is far beyond what previous presidents or their families have ever accrued while in office. The New Yorker analysis reported that the family made approximately $3.4 billion across Trump’s tenure. This includes billions of dollars from cryptocurrency ventures, $339.6 million from financial ventures, $270.8 million from hospitality, $116 million from media, and $277.7 million from other sources such as private jet rentals, legal fees, and merchandise. These figures reflect a dramatic expansion of the Trump brand’s monetization during his time in office.
Reports from the Associated Press describe Trump’s second term as marked by unprecedented use of presidential power to generate profits for family enterprises. For example, cryptocurrency ventures tied to Trump or his family pulled in hundreds of millions. Foreign governments, billionaires, and crypto tycoons with interests being considered by the U.S. government, funneled money into Trump‑linked businesses. Trump’s children pursued global development deals, including projects in the Middle East and Albania. And Melania Trump secured a $40 million documentary deal with Amazon. Experts quoted in the reporting describe this as a level of self‑enrichment “totally not normal” for a U.S. president.
A detailed breakdown from The Hill shows how Trump’s children (even grandchildren) capitalized on the presidency. Kia Trump (Don Jr’s daughter) launched a high‑priced fashion line using the Trump brand. Barron Trump earned $150 million through the family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, and is positioned for future corporate influence (e.g., a potential TikTok board seat). Eric Trump became a major crypto figure, co‑founding World Liberty Financial and helping generate over $1 billion in crypto‑related revenue for the family. Forbes estimated Trump’s personal net worth of over $7.1 billion, grew from $2.3 billion (2024). This reflects a presidency intertwined with private business in ways not seen in modern U.S. history.
Although Trump placed his assets into a trust during his first term, the trust was revocable (meaning Trump could withdraw funds at any time). The trust is managed by his sons, who were simultaneously expanding Trump organization ventures. The trust is nota blind trust, whichallows Trump to remain aware of and benefit from business activities. The trust structure did not prevent Trump or his family from profiting from presidential influence.
The scale and openness of the Trump family’s financial gains during the presidency represent an historic departure from traditional presidential ethics norms. The practice blurs the lines between public office and private enrichment. The practices establish a model of governance where policy, branding, and business interests are deeply intertwined. Whether one views this as savvy entrepreneurship or a profound conflict of interest depends on political perspective, but the financial outcomes are well‑documented.
The most dramatic shift in Trump‑family enrichment came from the crypto system, which expanded rapidly during Trump’s second term. Trump publicly championed crypto, earning the nickname “Crypto President.” Trump urged Congress to pass the GENIUS Act, which eases U.S. restrictions on stablecoin (crypto) operations. After advocating for the bill, the Trump family’s crypto company began issuing its own stablecoin, becoming one of the largest issuers globally. This created a direct conflict: presidential advocacy, then regulatory change, followed by private profit.
Stablecoins are extremely profitable because issuers invest in customer deposits and keep the yield. This meant the Trump family captured the interest generated on billions in deposits. Trump’s second term saw the resumption of foreign licensing deals, including in geopolitically sensitive regions such as Qatar and Vietnam. These deals involved sovereign wealth funds and state-linked developers, raising renewed emoluments concerns.
Trump properties — hotels, golf clubs, resorts — became centers of political activity, generating revenue from political committees, lobbyists, foreign delegations, administration officials, and Republican donors. The presidency turned Trump hotels into pay-to-be-seen venues, where spending money at a Trump property became a way to signal loyalty or seek influence. This was a continuation of first-term patterns but on a larger scale.
The Trump brand became a commercial engine, with revenue from merchandise, media ventures, paid appearances, licensing deals, private jet rentals, and digital products (NFTs, tokens, etc.). The presidency amplified the Trump brand’s reach, enabling the family to monetize political identity at unprecedented scale. Various media sources including the New Yorker, CNN, and Public Citizen have described this as the “merchandise machine” in varying printed words.
The most striking theme is the collapse of boundaries between public offices and private business. The presidency itself became a marketing tool with executive actions, public statements, legislative advocacy, and regulatory positions. All serve to increase the value of Trump-owned assets, especially in crypto and media. This is described as the “conspicuous integration of federal power, personal branding, and private profit.”
Across all sources, the pattern is consistent. Presidential power amplified the Trump brand, and the Trump brand generated unprecedented private profit. The mechanisms were not subtle: they were structural, intentional, and integrated into governance itself. In summary, the Trump presidency has gone far beyond institution norms and ethical guardrails.
Thoughts from the Middle by Robert J. Fischer 