Trump family's business deals raise ethical concerns for future presidents

NEW YORK (AP) — For decades, U.S. presidents have avoided profiting from their office. However, President Donald Trump is taking a different approach with his family's business dealings. The Trump Organization is undergoing significant overseas expansion, led by Eric and Donald Jr., with ventures into cryptocurrencies and military contracts. Recently, they secured stakes in an armed drone manufacturer seeking Pentagon contracts, raising ethical concerns.

Julian Zelizer, a presidential historian at Princeton University, stated, "I don't think there's any line right now between policy decisions and political calculations and the interest of the Trump family." The Trump Organization has completed eight foreign deals in just over a year of Trump's second term, contrasting with zero deals during his first term.

These deals include a golf club project in Qatar and a resort in Vietnam, where the government reportedly displaced farmers for the development. The Trump Organization claims compliance with its self-imposed rules against direct business with foreign governments, yet the nature of these transactions has led to skepticism about their implications on U.S. foreign policy.

In addition, the Trump family sold a significant portion of their crypto business to a UAE government-linked company, raising further questions about potential conflicts of interest. The White House has denied any ethical issues, with Donald Jr. dismissing concerns as "old."

The Trump family's financial ventures, particularly in cryptocurrencies, have generated substantial income, including $2 billion from governance tokens. However, the volatility of the crypto market has also impacted their wealth, with significant declines in value reported.

What to watch: The upcoming decisions regarding U.S. foreign policy and military contracts may reveal the extent of influence from the Trump Organization's business dealings.