Emoluments & Financial Conflicts
Tracking documented conflicts of interest, foreign payments, and emoluments clause violations during Trump's presidency
By The Numbers
All Documented Conflicts
Saudi Arabia LIV Golf Deal at Trump Properties
Saudi-backed LIV Golf hosted tournaments at Trump properties including Bedminster and Doral, with Trump Organization receiving hosting fees while Trump was running for re-election.
Saudi Government Hotel Bookings
Shortly after Trump's election, lobbyists for Saudi Arabia booked blocks of rooms at Trump's DC hotel, spending over $270,000 in a clear effort to curry favor with the incoming administration.
China Grants Ivanka Trump Trademarks
China granted Ivanka Trump's company at least 16 new trademarks while she served as senior White House advisor, including on the same day her father dined with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump Towers Istanbul
Trump continued to receive licensing fees from Trump Towers Istanbul throughout his presidency, creating a conflict as he made policy decisions affecting Turkey, including response to journalist Khashoggi's murder.
Trump Tower Manila Licensing Deal
Trump's partner in Trump Tower Manila, Jose E.B. Antonio, was appointed as Duterte's special envoy to the U.S., creating a direct conflict between Trump's business and U.S.-Philippines relations.
Qatar Investment Authority Bails Out Kushner
Qatar's sovereign wealth fund invested in Brookfield Asset Management, which then bailed out Kushner Companies' troubled 666 Fifth Avenue property with a 99-year lease valued at $1.8 billion.
Trump DC Hotel Foreign Government Revenue
Trump's DC hotel received at least $3.75 million from foreign governments while he was president, according to his own accounting. The hotel became a gathering place for diplomats and lobbyists seeking to influence the administration.
Mar-a-Lago Membership Fee Doubled
Shortly after winning the presidency, Trump doubled Mar-a-Lago's initiation fee from $100,000 to $200,000, capitalizing on access to the President at his 'Winter White House.'
Secret Service Spending at Trump Properties
The Secret Service spent over $1.4 million at Trump properties to protect the President and his family during his 500+ visits to his own businesses, funneling taxpayer money directly to his company.
Trump Organization Revenue During Presidency
Trump reported earning at least $2.4 billion in outside revenue during his four years as president, according to financial disclosure forms, maintaining ownership of his business empire.
Attempted G-7 Summit at Trump Doral
Trump announced plans to host the G-7 summit at his struggling Trump Doral resort, which would have directed millions in government and foreign spending to his property. Plan was abandoned after bipartisan backlash.
VP Pence Directed to Stay at Trump Doonbeg
Vice President Pence was directed to stay at Trump's resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, requiring a 2+ hour drive to his meetings in Dublin, funneling government funds to Trump's struggling property.
Military Refueling at Trump Turnberry
U.S. Air Force crews made dozens of refueling stops at a small Scottish airport near Trump Turnberry resort, with crews staying overnight at the property, directing military funds to Trump's business.
Kushner's $2 Billion Saudi Investment Fund
Six months after leaving the White House, Jared Kushner's new private equity firm received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's sovereign wealth fund, despite the fund's advisors objecting due to Kushner's inexperience.
Ivanka Trump China Voting Machine Trademarks
Ivanka Trump won preliminary approval for Chinese trademarks for voting machines on the same day her father met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade and North Korea.
Kushner Qatar Policy and 666 Fifth Ave Debt
Jared Kushner supported Saudi/UAE blockade of Qatar while his company desperately sought financing for troubled 666 Fifth Ave property. Qatar later helped bail out the property through Brookfield deal.
Kushner Top Secret Clearance Despite Foreign Loans
Trump overruled intelligence officials' concerns to grant Jared Kushner top-secret clearance despite his company having over $1 billion in loans from foreign entities and 40+ foreign contacts he failed to initially disclose.
Eric Trump's Comments on Russian Financing
In 2014, Eric Trump told a golf reporter that the Trump Organization had access to $100 million from Russian sources for golf course financing, contradicting later denials of Russian business ties.
📜 About the Emoluments Clause
The Constitution's Foreign Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) prohibits federal officials from receiving gifts, payments, or titles from foreign governments without Congressional consent. The Domestic Emoluments Clause (Article II, Section 1, Clause 7) prohibits the President from receiving compensation beyond their salary from federal or state governments.
Trump was the first president in modern history to maintain ownership of active business interests while in office, raising unprecedented conflict of interest concerns. These documented conflicts represent payments and benefits from foreign governments, domestic government spending at his properties, and family members' financial dealings that occurred during or immediately after his presidency.