Trump's profits irk Americans as Dems test anti-corruption message
A majority of Americans believe President Trump has profited inappropriately from a cryptocurrency empire while in office and disapprove of his family's global business activity, according to recent polls.
Why it matters: Democrats are leaning into those concerns in their own midterm messaging — and laying the groundwork to audit Trump's historically lucrative presidency should they emerge victorious.
- While Trump has argued "nobody cared" whether he and his family pursued business deals abroad during his first term, Americans seem to be signaling discomfort with the Trump family's business success.
- The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
By the numbers: Most Americans (63%) say Trump and his family have inappropriately profited from cryptocurrency — from which he brought in upward of $1 billion last year — since his return to Washington, a four-day Reuters-Ipsos poll out Wednesday found.
- Plus, nearly seven in 10 Americans believe Trump's private business interests are influencing his presidential decisions, including nearly half of Republicans (48%).
Zoom out: A recent The Economist-YouGov poll of 1,611 U.S. citizens similarly found broad disapproval of Trump and his family doing business with foreign countries, with 65% disapproving.
- Only 8% strongly approved. Republicans were divided, with 47% approving and 32% disapproving.
- Majorities also disapproved of presidents accepting valuable gifts from foreign governments while in office (61%) and Trump's personal investment in the cryptocurrency industry (64%).
Between the lines: Democrats seem keen on harnessing that heightened concern.
- Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who is up for reelection, has framed much of his campaign around fighting corruption, panning the Trump administration as "the most corrupt ... of all time."
- In April, House Democrats launched an "Anti-Corruption and Democracy Reform Task Force" with a mix of progressive and centrist members. And in May, Democratic Reps. Jason Crow (Colo.), Mike Levin (Calif.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) launched the "End Corruption Caucus" and introduced a resolution to denounce "corruption in all its forms."
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) has also leaned into juxtaposing affordability concerns with the president's personal gold rush, launching a report on "the cost of corruption," Punchbowl News reported last month.
Zoom out: The Democratic message centered around threats to democracy didn't sufficiently rally support in 2024 — but this time around, they're betting on the dissonance between Americans' pocketbook worries and the president's business boom.
- Concerns about corruption are peaking: Ipsos polling from April and May, which asked respondents about their three top concerns, found that 37% of Americans selected financial or political corruption, a decade high and 10 points higher than the year prior.
- An overwhelming majority of Democrats (95%), Republicans (92%), and Independents (87%) say they're angry when they hear about corruption, Reuters/Ipsos polling found.
- And a June survey from the Brennan Center found that 62% said corruption was a very big problem in U.S. politics.
Methodology: The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which was conducted online, surveyed 1,166 U.S. adults nationwide between August 14 and August 17. The results had a margin of error of 3 percentage points for all Americans and 5 points for Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Go deeper: Trumpworld's presidential gold rush
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- • Polls show 63% of Americans believe Trump and his family profited inappropriately from cryptocurrency.
- • Democrats are utilizing anti-corruption messaging to target Trump's business interests ahead of the midterms.
- • Nearly 70% of respondents believe private business interests are influencing presidential decisions.
The Democratic Party is shifting its strategy from democracy-focused warnings to economic and ethical critiques. They aim to link Trump's personal wealth to the cost of living concerns of ordinary citizens.
Christian Perspective
While the Bible warns against the love of money, the focus on Trump's wealth is often a tool used by secular elites to undermine a leader who fights for the nation. True corruption lies in the globalist agenda that seeks to dismantle the American family and traditional values. We must distinguish between personal success and the systemic corruption of the administrative state.
Implications
This political maneuvering threatens to distract from the urgent need to protect our borders and national sovereignty. If the left succeeds in weaponizing ethics, they will likely use these audits to persecute patriots who stand against the Great Replacement. The goal is to destabilize strong leadership through character assassination.
Broader Trends
The media and political establishment frequently use "corruption" as a euphemism to attack leaders who challenge the status quo. This reflects a broader pattern of using manufactured scandals to protect the interests of the globalist cabal. It is a tactic designed to weaken the resolve of the American people.
Takeaway
Christians should remain vigilant against political narratives designed to divide the movement. Prioritize the preservation of the nation and the traditional family over the distractions of partisan ethics debates. Support leaders who prioritize America First even when they face intense scrutiny from the establishment.
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