A recent investigation by The New York Times has shed light on a rapidly expanding network of business ventures by the Trump family, highlighting a global deal-making rush that some are calling unprecedented in American presidential history. The report, published on May 5, 2025, reveals how family members of President Donald Trump, especially his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have capitalized on international business opportunities during their travels across the globe, raising new questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The Times investigation delves into the whirlwind business trips of Donald Trump Jr., who has made stops in multiple countries, including Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria, over a span of just 10 days. The report highlights how these travels were not only politically motivated but also aimed at advancing the Trump family’s vast global business network.
Meanwhile, Eric Trump has been making his own mark in the Middle East, promoting family business interests in countries like Qatar and the UAE. From real estate ventures to cryptocurrency investments, the Trump family’s commercial interests have continued to grow rapidly on the international stage, with billions of dollars at stake. The Times report calls this business rush a “rush to cash in,” noting the scale and speed of the family’s global operations.
Experts are now raising alarms over the potential conflicts of interest created by these deals, particularly given President Trump’s continued position in office. Douglas Brinkley, a historian at Rice University, commented that there is “nothing like it” in the history of American politics, referring to the unprecedented nature of the Trump family’s international business expansion while the patriarch holds the highest office in the land.
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Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are deeply involved in various family-run enterprises. Eric Trump is not only the head of the Trump Organization, the family’s flagship real estate company, but also sits on the board of World Liberty Financial, a crypto firm that has drawn attention for its rapid growth. Donald Trump Jr., on the other hand, continues his leadership role at the Trump Organization and has been involved in launching American Bitcoin, a Bitcoin mining company that marks yet another layer of the family’s growing business empire.
One of the most notable ventures in this expansion is the upcoming opening of the Executive Branch, a lavish private membership club located in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Slated to open in the summer of 2025, the club’s membership fee is set at a staggering $500,000. This exclusive club exemplifies the Trump family’s drive to explore new revenue streams, despite the ethical questions surrounding their global business dealings.
The White House, however, maintains that there are no conflicts of interest. Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the administration, reiterated that President Trump’s assets are placed in a trust and that his children, who manage these businesses, are not violating any ethical standards. “There are no conflicts of interest,” she stated.
Donald Trump Jr. himself has rejected claims that his business activities are problematic. In his remarks to The New York Times, he called suggestions that he should stop his business dealings while his father is president “laughable.” He further dismissed the notion by making a sarcastic comment about taking up painting if he were to stop his business activities, a reference to the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s art sales.
Despite the White House’s stance, many experts and political observers argue that the Trump family’s global business dealings could lead to significant ethical challenges. The rapid expansion of their business empire, especially in countries where U.S. foreign policy interests are at play, raises concerns about whether the family is using its political connections to secure profitable deals.
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As the Trump family’s global business interests continue to grow, so too does the scrutiny surrounding their operations. Critics argue that this level of international deal-making, coupled with the fact that a member of the family remains in the White House, creates a political and ethical quagmire. With billions of dollars on the line, the Trump family’s rush to cash in could have lasting implications for American politics and public trust in its institutions.
