How Trump's political and business interests will intersect in the White House

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/trump-business-finances-conflicts-ethics-aa019f8f9bdfa4266e2d41b36ad01b4c

How Trump’s political and business interests will intersect in the White House
By MEG KINNARD and ALEX CONNOR
Updated 11:08 PM CST, January 16, 2025

As he assumes the presidency for a second time, Donald Trump brings with him a broad expanse of business relationships and financial entanglements — and the possibility that those associations could influence his decision-making in the White House.

Trump’s team dismisses such concerns. “President Trump removed himself from his multibillion-dollar real estate empire to run for office and forewent his government salary, becoming the first President to actually lose net worth while serving in the White House,” Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “Unlike most politicians, President Trump didn’t get into politics for profit — he’s fighting because he loves the people of this country and wants to make America great again.”

But questions remain. Here’s a look at the various connections and potential conflicts in Trump’s second administration.

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[gab13by13]

1. He is free to sell classified documents.

Fed-ex them to Putin.

[pandr32]

2. As before, and then some.

Rape, pillage, and plunder. Add blackmail, money laundering, and pay for play.

[surfered]

3. I believe he ran for President to raise his profile for another TV show.

And to filch from campaign contributions. I don’t think he intended to win. But when he did, he quickly figured out how to profit from the office.

Staying at his hotels and golf clubs required the Secret Service detail to also stay there, paying exorbitant rates. Lobbyists and foreign officials quickly learned to rent rooms from his Washington DC hotel.

Ivanka got 17 patents from China and Jared got $2 billion from the Saudis for his hedge fund, despite no hedge fund experience.

It was always about the grift and the abuse will be even worse in his second term.