President Donald Trump was formerly a businessman — often called out for his unethical practices, oftentimes self-congratulating for his billionaire status — but you cannot divorce his political career from his business exploits. An Australian reporter simply asked him about it, and Trump got quite testy.
Trump has just this year announced that he would be selling perfume to celebrate his political tenacity. Menswear writers were quick to dismiss the new venture, suggesting that for that price point you’d be better off buying from designer brands like Tom Ford, which actually win awards in that area. But that ignores the obvious facts here — Trump isn’t just selling a nice scent, he’s selling his public persona.
Presidents have to create mass support nationally during their campaign runs, where they often end up forming emotional attachments to their cause. Furthermore, after they actually win, so much responsibility and power is now under their control (something Trump was also not afraid to flex during his conflict with CBS). Conventional wisdom for presidents up until Trump took power was either divestment (selling off their business) or a blind trust (which Trump instead passed off to his children).
All these years Trump has claimed that he has no idea what his children do with their businesses, or at least has no say. That would be hard to believe as things stand, especially considering the fact that his son-in-law has reportedly stated that Gaza is a prime location for waterfront property after the Israeli government hypothetically removes civilians during a war strongly supported by the Trump administration. That this was announced as Trump was posting AI-generated memes of a golden statue of himself in Gaza feels like further proof that his business interests are fully amalgamated with his political decisions.
An Australian reporter chose to express these very valid concerns, but Trump decided to pivot. He told her that the Australian Prime Minister is scheduled to meet him soon at the White House, and Trump suggested that he will ensure to mention her to the Prime Minister for having the audacity to ask him a tough question he would rather not answer. Trump went on to claim that the reporter was hurting Australia with these questions as the country needs him on their side.
Reporter: Should a president engage in such active entrepreneurial activity?
— Jürgen Nauditt
Trump: Where are you from?
Reporter: From Australia.
Trump: You're doing Australia a lot of damage right now. I'm going to tell your leader about this. Shut up.
Trump threatens Australia because a… pic.twitter.com/geCw13H0mt(@jurgen_nauditt) September 16, 2025
In Trump’s world everything seems to be quid pro quo. If a journalist wants to keep their job, they should cozy up to power and influence. However, that’s not how journalism works. The press is not asking him questions to portray him in a positive light. It’s Trump’s job to portray himself like that. The reporter is simply there to ask questions that are in the best interest of the public.During all this, it hasn’t even been mentioned that, for some reason, Trump started two cryptocurrencies under his and the first lady’s names. Experts are already voicing growing concern about foreign actors buying the currency to curry favor with Trump. There’s also another exclusive membership club that Trump’s administration runs called the Executive Club, where, if you pay the membership fee of $500,000, you get to mingle with insiders of the administration and perhaps figure out how you can get a pardon, should you need one.
