Former ethics lawyer says Trump's crypto poses 'clear conflict of interest'
Source: NPR
Updated July 2, 2026 12:27 PM ET
President Donald Trump and his family earned more than $1 billion last year through cryptocurrency ventures and other businesses, according to a 927-page financial disclosure report filed with the Office of Government Ethics.
NPR's Linda Kenyon reports that more than $500 million came from the cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, which was co-founded by Trump family members, while Trump-branded meme coin sales generated more than $600 million. The disclosure also lists more than $50 million from media settlements and millions more from Trump-branded products, including Bibles, sneakers and watches.
The White House denied any financial conflicts of interest. Spokesperson Anna Kelly praised the president for making the U.S. "the crypto capital of the world." Trump also said outside institutions manage his investments and that he does not speak with them.
Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter told Morning Edition that federal conflict-of-interest laws would prohibit other executive branch officials from taking similar actions, adding that Trump "stands alone in having such substantial financial conflicts of interest" as president.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/02/nx-s1-5877487/trump-crypto-earnings-ethics