Trump is full speed ahead in making money off being the US president | Margaret Sullivan
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-08-19 08:18:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump Declares “Own Morality” as Only Restraint Amid Unprecedented Personal Enrichment in Second Term
Donald Trump has openly stated that his “own morality” is the only thing that can stop him, telling the New York Times in January, “It’s the only thing that can stop me.” He was referring to his freedom to wield military, economic, or political power on the international stage, but this mindset appears to extend to his personal and family business dealings as well.
Unprecedented Wealth Accumulation and Shrugging Off Criticism
Trump’s second term has seen him amass $2.2 billion in 2025 revenues, according to reports from the Guardian and other outlets. Despite widespread criticism and historically low approval ratings—just 33% approval and 64% disapproval in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll—Trump has shown little sign of restraint. He is described as “glorying in knowing no restraints or boundaries, and shrugs off criticism,” a posture he has maintained even as questions about conflicts of interest are routinely brushed off. Trump and his allies claim that the Trump family’s extracurricular businesses are building the US economy, despite mounting ethical concerns.
Controversial Business Practices and Legal Maneuvers
Trump’s business ventures have drawn significant scrutiny. Last year, he reportedly earned at least $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency projects, while about a million investors in one of his crypto ventures suffered nearly $4 billion in losses as the value of their holdings collapsed. Foreign investments in Trump family hotels and golf resorts have also raised concerns about conflicts of interest.
His media company, Truth Social, has introduced a plan to offer early access to his posts for a $100,000 fee, a move criticized for its potential to move markets and for lawsuits from media organizations and advocacy groups who argue it is unconstitutional. Nevertheless, Trump has proceeded with these initiatives despite the backlash.
Trump also attempted to use the federal justice department to settle a $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, initially securing immunity for himself and his family from earlier tax audits—a move that could have saved them about $100 million. However, a federal judge later nullified major parts of the agreement, and the legal battle continues.
Deflecting Accountability and Attacking the Press
Trump has consistently dismissed fallout from his actions and has protected himself by fueling mistrust of the media, branding investigations into his conduct as “fake news.” This strategy has contributed to a political environment where even the most dramatic revelations have little impact on public opinion.
Conclusion: A Presidency Defined by Self-Enrichment and Minimal Oversight
Trump’s own words and actions reveal a president who sees himself as largely unrestrained, guided only by his personal sense of morality. As he continues to benefit financially from his office, public disapproval grows, but meaningful checks on his conduct remain elusive. With midterm elections approaching, the question remains whether voters and Congress will impose any real limits on Trump’s unprecedented self-enrichment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/19/trump-money-democrats-midterms