As per a report from The New York Times, Donald Trump and his inner circle have been raking in far more, thanks to a mix of private ventures and eyebrow-raising partnerships. From Melania’s unprecedented Amazon documentary deal and her best-selling memoir to crypto-fuelled galas and luxury real estate in Dubai, the Trumps appear to have turned the White House into a global business launchpad. Here's how each high-profile move has padded their portfolios.
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Melania Trump’s multi-million dollar documentary deal
Melania Trump has kept a relatively low profile compared to her husband, but her financial moves are anything but subtle.
The First Lady signed a record-breaking deal with Amazon for a behind-the-scenes documentary about her life. Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for the rights, and more than 70% of that—around $28 million—is expected to go directly to Melania.
The documentary, described by Prime Video as an ‘unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at First Lady Melania Trump,’ began filming in November. Speaking to Fox & Friends, Melania said:
We started the production in November, and we are shooting right now, so it’s a day-to-day life, what I’m doing, what kind of responsibilities I have.
She added:
It’s day-to-day, from transition team to moving to the White House, packing, establishing my team, the First Lady office, moving into the White House, what it takes to make the residence your home, to hire the people that you need.
Amazon's investment dwarfed other bids, with Disney reportedly offering just $14 million. The director, Brett Rattner, is returning to filmmaking with this project, which will also have a brief theatrical release.
Crypto ventures, lavish galas and billion-dollar deals
Donald Trump’s latest gold rush? Cryptocurrency. The president has leaned heavily into promoting $Trump, a meme coin that’s brought in over $320 million in fees, according to Mirror.
The venture—backed by his sons via the family’s crypto firm, World Liberty Financial (WLF)—took centre stage during a gala at Trump’s Virginia golf club. Top investors enjoyed halibut, filet mignon, and a private speech from Trump himself, who reportedly ended the night dancing to ‘YMCA’.
The Guardian reports that over $148 million was spent by just 220 investors to attend the event, with additional perks for the top 25 buyers. One of the biggest investors, Justin Sun, posted on X:
Honored to support @POTUS and grateful for the invitation from @GetTrumpMemes to attend President Trump’s Gala Dinner as his TOP fan!
But the party has sparked major concerns. Watchdogs like the State Democracy Defenders Fund estimate Trump’s crypto ventures are worth nearly $3 billion. Critics argue these ventures blur the line between governance and personal gain.
Columbia Law's Richard Briffault told The Guardian:
People are paying to meet Trump and he’s the regulator in chief. It’s doubly corrupt. This is unprecedented.
Adding fuel to the fire, WLF is now involved in a $2 billion investment deal with Binance, aided by Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund. As AP News noted, this deal uses WLF’s stablecoin USD1 and was announced at a crypto conference attended by Eric Trump.
Senator Jeff Merkley didn't mince words, telling The Guardian:
Trump’s crypto schemes are profoundly corrupt. He’s selling access to his administration and enriching himself in the process.
The White House has responded to conflict of interest concerns. Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated:
The president’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. There are no conflicts of interest.
Donald Trump Jr’s ultra-elite Washington club
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. is busy building a space for America’s elite to mingle behind closed doors. Dubbed the Executive Branch, his new private membership club in Washington, D.C., will cost $500,000 just to join.
As reported by CNBC, the launch party included a glittering guest list featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, and tech moguls like the Winklevoss twins and Chamath Palihapitiya. Founders also include Omeed Malik and members of the Witkoff real estate dynasty.
This Georgetown-based venture is more exclusive than other luxury clubs. Members must be vetted and referred. According to CNBC, one insider said:
We don’t want members of the media or just a lot of lobbyists joining. We want people to feel comfortable having conversations in privacy.
With a waiting list already forming, the club seems set to become D.C.'s next major hub for the rich and influential—and perhaps another moneymaker for the Trump family.
Trump Tower Dubai and the family’s Middle East ambitions
If there’s a region the Trumps are betting big on, it’s the Middle East. According to AP News, Eric Trump recently unveiled plans for an 80-storey Trump Tower in Dubai. The announcement followed weeks of business tours through Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE. In his words:
We are proud to expand our presence in the region.
The Trump Organisation is also leasing its brand to high-end projects in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Oman, in collaboration with developers like Dar Global and Qatari Diar. The deals are said to offer vast profits, all while Trump remains the sitting president.
Critics are wary. Timothy P. Carney from the American Enterprise Institute said:
Even if he’s not running the company, he profits when the company does well. When he leaves the White House, the company is worth more, his personal wealth goes up.
In January, Trump stood alongside Dubai billionaire Hussain Sajwani to announce a $20 billion investment in U.S. data centres. Despite being a close business ally, the White House has defended the relationship, insisting all ethics rules are being followed.
Still, the sheer scale and timing of these projects, combined with Trump’s presidency, make for a picture of influence and enterprise like no other in U.S. political history.
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Sources used:
Mirror: The ‘breathtaking’ ways the Trumps have earned millions in office
The Guardian: ‘Roadmap for corruption’: Trump dive into cryptocurrency raises ethics alarm
CNBC: Donald Trump Jr. co-founds new private members club, Executive Branch, with a $500,000 fee
AP News: Trump’s Middle East visit comes as his family deepens its business, crypto ties in the region
Hola!: Melania Trump's Amazon documentary: All we know
