Trump’s Fortune Soars $3.4B During Presidency Amid Questionable Deals and IRS Lawsuit

When Donald Trump took the oath of office, he was far from the booming billionaire image he cultivated. Reports from The New Yorker and The New York Times revealed a president grappling with financial strain—Trump Tower couldn’t cover its mortgage, his golf courses were bleeding money, and legal judgments loomed large. Fast forward to the middle of his second term, and Trump’s fortune has surged by $3.4 billion, largely thanks to deals that exploit his presidential power.

The Trump Organization, now run by Eric and Donald Jr., has struck at least eight overseas deals during Trump’s presidency. Despite a supposed ban on foreign government transactions, five of these projects are in the Persian Gulf, involving government-linked entities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. These ventures have funneled tens of millions of dollars into the Trump family coffers, cashing in on access and influence.

Cryptocurrency ventures have been another goldmine. World Liberty Financial, a Trump-linked crypto firm, has raked in at least $1.2 billion since 2024. Just before Trump’s inauguration, the family sold nearly half of this business for $500 million to a UAE government-affiliated company. A UAE government fund then pumped $2 billion into a stablecoin issued by World Liberty via Binance, generating massive interest income for Trump’s crypto empire.

Peter Baker of The New York Times bluntly states the Trumps “have done more to monetize the presidency than anyone who has ever occupied the White House.” Jamelle Bouie’s sharp analysis echoes this, noting the family’s investors include foreign nationals and big corporations eager to curry favor with the U.S. government.

But the story doesn’t end there. Trump’s ongoing $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, alleging illegal leaks of his tax returns, could add even more to his fortune. The lawsuit is fraught with conflicts of interest since Trump effectively sues an agency he oversees. Legal experts and watchdog groups warn this case risks collusion and undermines the spirit of public service.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams has questioned whether the lawsuit should proceed, citing the unusual power dynamics. A hearing scheduled for May 27 will further probe if this legal battle is a genuine dispute or a sham to extract more money.

This isn’t just about Trump’s personal wealth—it’s about how the presidency can be exploited for private gain, eroding trust in democratic institutions. The Trump family’s financial ascent during his time in office is a glaring example of corruption and conflicts of interest that demand scrutiny and accountability. We’ll be watching closely as this story unfolds.