Self-dealing, family enrichment schemes, pay-to-play, and shameless profiteering from public office.
Stories
World Liberty Financial is pursuing a national trust bank charter amid broader discussions involving Donald Trump and the World Economic Forum. Meanwhile, Democrats are raising concerns about systemic issues related to these developments.
Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have questioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about the handling of World Liberty Financial's application for a national trust bank charter, citing concerns over systemic risk, foreign ownership, and political influence, especially after a UAE royal reportedly acquired nearly half of the company. They expressed worry over the potential impact of foreign interests and political pressures on regulator independence and requested clarification on the roles of government agencies in the decision-making process. The concerns come amid increased scrutiny of crypto-related initiatives linked to Trump and industry leaders, as well as ongoing debates over potential taxpayer support for crypto markets.
The Epstein files have revealed a network involving industry leaders, CEOs, and political figures, leading to reputational damage, resignations, and other consequences for those named. The exposure highlights the extent of the network and its connections to influential elites.
The article reports that Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, during her re-election campaign in 2013 and in her role as Trump's Attorney General, has a history of allegedly covering up for powerful men.
The article discusses criticism of Donald Trump's "Board of Peace," which critics describe as a questionable initiative resembling a vehicle for financial gain at the expense of taxpayers. Susan Rice comments on the effort, framing it as a form of misappropriation or "grift" akin to a "huge heist." The piece highlights concerns about the legitimacy and motivations behind the initiative.
Donald Trump announced plans to create a "Board of Peace" with a proposed $10 billion from U.S. taxpayers, a move critics warn resembles a slush fund under his control, despite lacking congressional approval. Trump characterized the funds as small compared to the costs of war, but recent military actions and foreign policy maneuvers have bypassed congressional approval. Given ongoing political gridlock and budget disputes, it is unlikely that Congress would approve such funding, and Trump has previously sold board seats for $1 billion each without clarifying their destination.
World Liberty Financial (WLFI) has announced a partnership with DarGlobal to tokenize a $300 million luxury real estate project in the Maldives.
The article reports that even the Supreme Court during Donald Trump's administration has deemed his tax policies illegal, representing a significant win for families and small businesses. This conclusion was highlighted by Gavin Newsom in a social media post.
President Donald Trump has populated his current administration with individuals who promoted false claims about the 2020 election and, in some cases, aided efforts to overturn the results. This includes figures such as the attorney general and Justice Department lawyers involved in election investigations and prosecutions. Experts warn that the election denial movement is now embedded within the federal government, posing challenges to the integrity of upcoming elections.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and other lawmakers raised concerns about potential corruption and political interference at the DOJ regarding the approval of the $1.6 billion merger between real estate firms Compass and Anywhere Real Estate. The officials questioned whether DOJ leadership, including recently ousted antitrust official Gail Slater, hindered a thorough review of the merger, which critics argue could worsen the housing crisis by increasing market concentration. The lawmakers also expressed alarm over the influence of politically connected individuals, such as lawyer Mike Davis, on the merger approval process and called for greater transparency and accountability by March 2026.
JPMorgan Chase admitted in a court filing that it closed President Donald Trump's accounts in February 2021 following the January 6 Capitol attack, marking the first written confirmation of the accounts' closure after the event. The bank's acknowledgment is part of Trump's lawsuit, where he alleges that the account closures were politically motivated and caused financial harm. The case involves debates over "debanking" and its implications, with Trump also accusing JPMorgan of placing him on a reputational blacklist.
The owners of the Ambassador Bridge, including Matthew Moroun, donated $1 million to the MAGA Inc. super PAC on January 16, shortly before Moroun's meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington. Following this meeting, President Trump publicly stated that he would not allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open without compensation from Canada. The New York Times reported that a MAGA Inc. spokesperson denied any connection between the donation and government policy, and it was noted as Moroun's largest federal political contribution on record.