Donald Trump’s second term in office marked a sharp escalation in the merger of political power and personal profit. From crypto schemes and cell service ventures to corporate-sponsored parades and questionable foreign deals, Trump turned the presidency into a revenue-generating enterprise, prioritizing his brand and wallet over democratic norms and military integrity.
1. Trump Meme Coin: $TRUMP & $MELANIA
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In January 2025, Trump launched a meme coin, $TRUMP, on Solana, followed by $MELANIA—all tied to his personal holdings.
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The coin ballooned to a $27–70 billion market cap within days, netting over $350 million in sales and fees, much of which flowed back into Trump-affiliated entities.
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He dangled “private dinner and White House tour” incentives for top holders—an action that fueled accusations of quid pro quo and insider manipulation .
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Repeated investors lost billions as the coin collapsed—leaving Trump’s circle as the embedded winners .
2. Tesla Showcase on the South Lawn
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Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom, promoting EV models alongside CEO Elon Musk—an act many critics labeled a “sales pitch”.
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Meanwhile, the State Dept quietly edited out a planned $400 million armored Tesla contract, igniting suspicion of conflict-of-interest favor trading .
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Perhaps the most jarring moment came when Trump arranged for a Tesla Cybertruck—reportedly owned by a private donor—to be displayed and auctioned on the White House lawn. While the administration claimed it was for charity, proceeds were partially funneled into Trump PACs and the America250 Foundation.
3. Trump Mobile (“T1 Mobile”)
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The Trump Organization launched Trump Mobile, offering a patriotic $47.45/month plan and licensing arrangement for phones built in the U.S.
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Critics raised alarms around ethical boundaries and regulatory fairness, especially due to FCC oversight of telecoms .
4. Tariffs & Private Deals
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Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, even tying exceptions to private negotiations—a structure experts flagged as a potential personal leverage strategy.
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His economic pivot aligned with personal business posture—suggesting that policy decisions may have reflected private interests (e.g. boosting T1 Mobile or energy deals) .
5. Foreign Gifts & Deals
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Qatar gifted a $400 million luxury jet to serve as a future presidential library asset—raising questions under the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.
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Additional real estate and defense deals with Middle Eastern entities further deepened concerns of foreign influence tied to Trump-linked business interests.
Undermining Public Institutions
Within the first months of his second term, Trump’s behavior was drawing comparisons not to presidents but to autocrats. He inserted loyalists into federal agencies, tried to reshape the DOJ into a personal legal defense team, and continued attacking the press while praising authoritarian leaders abroad.
His military parade, held on his birthday, underscored this shift. It wasn’t just a show of force—it was a show for Trump. Featuring tanks, flyovers, and meticulously curated imagery, the event borrowed from strongman aesthetics. But it was the details—advertisements from defense contractors, crypto firms, and campaign donors—that revealed the true purpose: a celebration of profit, not patriotism.
Conclusion: A Presidency for Sale
Trump’s second term is less about governance than self-enrichment. Every major move seemed designed to elevate his brand, increase his assets, and reward his backers. Patriotism was reduced to a marketing strategy; public service, a tool for personal gain.
In the end, Trump did not drain the swamp—he monetized it. And in doing so, he blurred the line between President and pitchman, leaving behind a legacy not of public leadership but private profit and disgust.