The key ways Trump’s financial interests intersect with government policy
· The Straits Times- Trump earned at least US$2.2 billion in 2025 from businesses linked to his administration, including cryptocurrency, real estate, and media settlements.
- His crypto ventures, like World Liberty Financial and meme coins, benefited from eased regulations and foreign investments from allies like the UAE.
- Real estate deals in the Middle East and stock investments in companies regulated by his government highlight potential conflicts of interest.
WASHINGTON – When US President Donald Trump’s annual financial disclosure was released on June 30, it showed that he reaped at least US$2.2 billion (S$2.85 billion) from his various businesses in 2025, a singular haul for a president.
Many of the gains stemmed from ventures that intersect with his administration, posing unparalleled potential conflicts of interest.
The White House rejected the idea that the president is using his power for his personal benefit. “Neither the president nor his family has ever engaged – or will ever engage – in conflicts of interest,” said Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson.
Here are some of the biggest moneymakers for Trump and how they could be affected by his administration’s policies.
Cryptocurrency
The Trump administration has eased enforcement of crypto companies and rolled back regulations, even as the President and his family have embraced the industry and launched their own crypto company.
In 2025, Trump made US$1.4 billion from his family’s cryptocurrency businesses, the bulk of his overall revenue.
World Liberty Financial
In 2025, an investment firm tied to the United Arab Emirates, a key US ally, bought nearly half of the Trump family’s main crypto company, World Liberty Financial.
Four months later, the UAE struck a deal with the Trump administration – over the objections of some national security officials – for the export of valuable computer chips that power artificial intelligence.
The earnings from foreign investment were US$263 million.
$TRUMP meme coin sales
Trump launched his own meme coin three days before his inauguration as his supporters and top industry executives gathered in Washington for an event dubbed the Crypto Ball.
In the following months, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued two statements announcing that the novelty digital assets are not subject to regulatory oversight because they are not considered securities.
The earnings were US$636 million.
Stablecoin
In March 2025, World Liberty launched a digital currency called a stablecoin, a form of cryptocurrency pegged to an actual asset like the US dollar. Two months later, a UAE firm transferred US$2 billion into the new coin, the largest single stablecoin transaction in the industry’s history, boosting profits for the Trump family and its investors.
In July 2025, Trump signed legislation promoting stablecoins.
The earnings related to the stablecoin, which includes the UAE investment, were US$205 million.
Real estate
Unlike his first term, when the Trump family business swore off all new foreign deals, the company has had almost no restrictions on dealmaking in his second term, opening the door to an array of overseas ventures.
Middle East
The Trump Organization has announced new international deals in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, licensing the family name in exchange for payments from government-backed developments. Both countries are key US allies in a region that has been upended by the war with Iran.
In 2025, Qatar gave the US a Boeing plane that Trump began using this week as Air Force One.
The earnings were US$14 million for these new deals and a total of at least US$37 million from all the Middle East deals.
Vietnam
Government officials in Vietnam worked to fast-track a Trump golf development as the country was seeking to head off steep US tariffs.
The earnings were US$5 million.
Stocks and bonds
Trump has invested in a wide variety of companies that his administration regulates, including major players such as Nvidia, Alphabet and Broadcom.
As of 2025, he owned at least US$10 million in shares in each company. Also on May 6, 2025, Trump purchased up to US$5 million in Nvidia.
One week later, on May 13, Trump announced a deal allowing Nvidia to sell hundreds of thousands of AI chips to Saudi Arabia. Trump does not direct his trades, which are handled by an outside firm.
Trump held at least US$857 million in stocks, bonds and cash.
Settlements with media and tech companies
Trump reached settlements with tech firms Meta, YouTube and Twitter, which agreed to pay him millions after he was banned from their platforms in the aftermath of the Jan 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.
He also reached agreements with media companies CBS and ABC, which he sued during the 2024 presidential campaign over their coverage.
At the same time, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr has threatened to revoke the licenses of broadcasters, and the agency has announced it will enforce long-dormant rules on appearances by political candidates on network talk shows.
The Justice Department also recently cleared the way for Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which would consolidate the ownership of CBS News and CNN.
The proceeds of several of the settlements were donated to his presidential library foundation and the Trust for the National Mall, according to the filings.
The earnings were US$87 million.
Amazon documentary
Amazon bought and promoted a documentary about first lady Melania Trump, even as founder Jeff Bezos’ separate business interests in space and AI stood to be affected by Trump administration policies.
Melania Trump’s earnings from the project were about US$11 million.
Trump media
Donald Trump uses his Truth Social website as the de facto platform for his White House announcements and personal proclamations, even as they relate to acts of war, driving users and advertisers to the social media platform.
The value of his stake as of June 29 was roughly US$875 million.
- This article originally appeared in The New York Times.