TRUMP'S INNER CIRCLE CASHING IN: A Golden Age of Presidential Profit in the First 100 Days

In the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term, his inner circle has ushered in what Axios aptly calls a “veritable Golden Age” of financial gain, leveraging their proximity to power in ways that raise serious ethical and constitutional questions. 

From cryptocurrency ventures to foreign real estate deals, the Trump family and their associates are capitalizing on the presidency at an unprecedented scale. It is time to take a deep dive into the details of these murky business dealings, their implications for American democracy, and the constitutional violations they may entail, drawing on recent reports and public discourse.

A Flood of Ethically Murky Ventures

According to Axios, Trump’s family and close allies have launched a wave of high-dollar projects that monetize their access to the most powerful government in the world. The Trump-backed cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, has raised over $550 million by selling tokens globally, with founders including Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and his sons. The venture’s ties to foreign investors, such as Chinese crypto billionaire Justin Sun, who purchased $75 million in tokens while facing an SEC lawsuit, have sparked concerns about potential foreign influence. Additionally, a $2 billion deal with Binance, facilitated by an Emirati state-owned firm, further intertwines the Trump family’s business with foreign governments.

Beyond crypto, the Trump Organization is expanding its global footprint with at least 19 foreign-branded projects in development, including a luxury golf resort in Qatar. Trump’s first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia and his hosting of a Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament at his Doral club in Florida underscore the blending of official duties with personal profit. The organization is even selling “Trump 2028” hats, hinting at unconstitutional ambitions for a third term.

Constitutional Violations: The Emoluments Clauses

These ventures appear to violate both the Domestic Emoluments Clause (Article II, Section 1, Clause 7) and the Foreign Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) of the U.S. Constitution. The Domestic Emoluments Clause prohibits the president from receiving any profit or advantage from the federal or state governments beyond their salary, ensuring the presidency isn’t a vehicle for personal enrichment. The Foreign Emoluments Clause bars federal officials, including the president, from accepting payments, gifts, or benefits from foreign governments without Congressional consent, safeguarding against undue foreign influence.

Forum commenter AMERICANUNITY highlighted these violations, stating, “Clear violations of both The Domestic Emoluments Clause… and The Foreign Emoluments Clause… The purpose is to prevent undue foreign influence on U.S. officials.” Yet, Trump has not divested from his business empire, delegating operations to his sons while retaining ownership, a move that critics argue fails to mitigate conflicts of interest. As Washington Monthly notes, if presidential corruption harms the economy—as Trump’s actions risk doing by injecting market volatility and undermining consumer confidence—impeachment may be the only recourse.

Public Outcry and Economic Fallout

The public reaction on internet forums like reflects deep concern about the broader impact of Trump’s profiteering. Commenter SpeakSoftly sharply criticized the mindset of those who see no harm in Trump’s enrichment, stating, “Trump is richer, everyone else is poorer, and you don’t see the problem? This is why you’re lumped in with morons.” Indeed, Trump’s policies, such as imposing tariffs on allies like Canada and Mexico, have crashed stock markets and threatened economic stability, contradicting his campaign promise to lower prices.

Hillary Clinton’s scathing summary, shared by reinheitsgebot, encapsulates the chaos: “In Trump’s first 100 days, he alienated us from our allies, crashed the stock market, decimated U.S. cancer research, expelled American toddlers, lost the Canadian election by proxy, and threatened your Social Security checks.” These actions, paired with self-serving business deals, paint a picture of a presidency prioritizing personal gain over national interest.

The Harm: A Nation Poorer, A Democracy at Risk

Another social media commenter Porky pointed out the broader harm: “Much of the actions by EO… are AGAINST THE LAW. And most of what’s not illegal is ignorant and self-defeating for the People and the National Interest at home and abroad.” Trump’s refusal to divest, coupled with his administration’s deregulatory moves—like signing an order to deregulate the cryptocurrency industry just as his family launched digital currency ventures—suggests a deliberate effort to clear legal obstacles for personal profit.

Washington Monthly argues that this level of corruption undermines public faith in democratic institutions, a sentiment echoed by TFDNihilist, who sarcastically remarked, “How cute AU, you think King Dotard XIV has ever read the Constitution.” The lack of Congressional oversight, with few Republicans publicly challenging Trump’s ventures, further erodes accountability.

A Call for Accountability

The first 100 days of Trump’s second term have set a dangerous precedent, blending official power with personal business in ways that flout constitutional safeguards. As Axios reports, most presidents avoid even the appearance of profiteering, but Trump operates in plain sight, emboldened by a lack of consequences. Washington Monthly suggests that discussing impeachment in the context of economic harm could resonate with voters, who prioritize financial stability.

The question remains: will the American public and their representatives hold Trump accountable, or will this Golden Age of presidential profit continue unchecked?