When Donald Trump returned to power, critics naturally had concerns. He had made no secret of his plans to target political foes, dismantle diversity initiatives, and embrace violence in mass deportation campaigns. But one issue loomed larger than all the rest: his obsession with wealth and his long history of corruption.
Trump’s pre-political corrupt record is a story in itself, from embezzling charity funds to running fraudulent universities. Yet, once his MAGA base overlooked those past misdeeds in favor of his supposed conservative ideals, the question remained: would his corruption follow him into office? According to a New York Times report, the answer is a resounding yes. Estimates suggest that Trump raked in approximately $1.4 billion during the first year of his second term.
How that money was made — and who contributed to this staggering figure — is as interesting as it is revealing. Most U.S. presidents place their businesses in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, but Trump chose a different path, placing his business interests under the control of his adult sons.
The results were predictable. When Vietnam raised concerns about Trump’s tariffs, the Trump Organization coincidentally gained approval to break ground on a golf complex in Hanoi shortly afterward. Similar arrangements followed for a golf course in Riyadh, a hotel in Oman, a building in India, and more. In total, around 20 overseas projects were tied to the Trump Organization through licensing deals, generating roughly $23 million — often coinciding with favorable deals for these countries from the U.S. government.
Another $28 million came from Amazon, via their film production subsidiary, for the Melania documentary. With Jeff Bezos always just one misstep away from antitrust scrutiny and potential losses on Blue Origin government contracts, it was far cheaper for him to produce a documentary that Trump is reportedly literally paying people to watch.
Trump also generated revenue through lawsuits and settlements with media companies. YouTube, Disney, and Paramount opted to settle rather than engage in protracted legal battles with a sitting president, netting Trump an additional $90.5 million.
The largest sums highlight who wields the most influence with Trump and how he channels money into his family organization. During a trip to Qatar last year, he promised U.S. military protection and was shortly thereafter “gifted” a $400 million jet. At the same time, Trump’s cryptocurrency venture reportedly brought in $867 million from individuals seeking to influence federal policy, no matter where they were from. Combined, that totals $1,408,500,000 — an eye-watering sum for the average American.
The median household in the U.S. earns $83,730 per year. While there may have been additional sums flowing into Trump’s coffers in 2025 that aren’t publicly documented, the figures on record alone show that the U.S. leader made as much in a single year as over 16,000 average households combined.
Late last year, Trump attempted to change the Kennedy Center’s naming to attach his own. But when considering another Kennedy legacy — the unforgettable words of John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country” — it’s now clear why Trump’s vision of leadership could never align with a building bearing that name.
