The Modern-Day Empire: Trump's Presidency and the Blurred Lines Between State and 'Trump, Inc.'
Escalating Corruption Shields Trump Ever More Firmly
In an unprecedented fusion of power, business, and politics, the line between America's presidency and the Trump brand has never been blurrier. On his globe-trotting trip through the Middle East, Trump's reception mirrors a royal welcome, as the boundaries between official diplomacy and personal gain seem to vanish.
From Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, Trump's policies are interwoven with his own profit-making ventures, showing no signs of hesitation to conduct business even with autocrats and monarchies. A president's personal interests and that of the U.S. intertwine in the White House, often indistinguishable. We've delved deeper into Trump's entanglements with Middle Eastern nations elsewhere.
Global Bribe or Smart Business?
Since taking office, billions have streamed into Trump and his family's coffers through a labyrinth of deals built on questionable ethics. The legality might not be explicitly outlawed yet, but that's little consolation for a democracy built on principles of transcendence. In Trump's homeland too, the line between office, self-interest, and potential undue influence frequently disappears.
A New Era Post-Immunity Ruling
In Trump's second term, his protection is unparalleled, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling that grants him immunity. Consequences of these decisions are playing out in real-time. As long as Trump can claim his actions fall under his presidential authority, he — and his allies — are shielded from the long arm of the law. This, in turn, allows Trump to cement corruption and kleptocracy within the system. Some signs of this:
- Loyalty over Legality: Major law firms, who normally represent Democrats and NGOs, found themselves in a Catch-22 when Trump attempted to hamper their access to agencies by decree. Some succumbed, one even guaranteeing Trump pro bono services worth tens of millions of dollars.
- The Presidential Pardon: Trump's pardon powers have been exceptionally generous, with a record number of pardons. The most notorious instance involves the pardon of the 1500 rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. This sends an unequivocal message: loyalty to Trump surpasses loyalty to the law.
- Media-Muzzling: Trump doesn't shy away from wielding his power as a media mogul. Critical coverage is met with lawsuits, defamation claims, and threats. Even giants like Facebook, Instagram (Meta), and news network ABC News have paid settlements to avoid further damage to their businesses.
Politics: The Death of Integrity?
Trump and his closest allies are leveraging their power for personal gain in ways that not only threaten democratic values but pose a risk to U.S. national security.
- Stock Trading Scandals: The questionable insider trading practices within Congress and government members have come under scrutiny. The scandals surrounding Trump's administration are mounting, with allegations of officials trading stocks before or after significant policy decisions.
- Lobbists and Political Influence: Lobbyists are flocking to Washington in record numbers, seeking a presidential pardon to absolve past wrongs. Money buys access in the Trump White House, and with it potentially, political influence.
A Peek Behind the Curtains
Trump's sons are selling exclusive memberships to their Washington club for an initiation fee of half a million dollars. Membership applications are by invitation only, and the guest list includes tech leaders and Trump's crypto special envoy. The opening party was graceaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CEOs, and other elite figures.
Chinese companies, too, are seeking the Trump brand's endorsement in a bid to gain influence over the president. Some are investing in Trump's cryptocurrency, assuring themselves access to Trump as well as the White House. In a suspicious twist, a Chinese company recently announced plans to invest millions in Bitcoin and Trump's cryptocurrency, the source of funding remains obscure.
Mexican transportation company Fr8Tech plans to spend $20 million on Trump's memecoin to promote "fair, balanced, and free trade" between Mexico and the U.S. All this transpires behind closed doors, opening the doors to cronyism and potentially corruption.
"We are witnessing a revolutionary shift, an abandonment of transparency and accountability that most modern democracies prescribe, and a descent into the opaque and corrupt practices of autocracies," argues author Anne Applebaum about Trump's actions. The implications are global and far-reaching.
On his tours, Trump's organization stands to profit from several substantial projects. Meanwhile, foreign governments are making donations and investments, all in the name of fostering goodwill or facilitating business deals. A system providing personal profit for Trump and his allies while others must fear the wrath of the White House. Shielded by his immunity ruling, Trump is protected like no president before him. In his second term, the Republican's actions go largely overlooked in the ongoing news cycle.
References:
- Bloomberg
- Rolling Stone
- The Guardian
- INK News
- NPR
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
- The Wall Street Journal
- The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, in their political discussions on global affairs, have expressed concern about the blurred lines between state and business in the context of the modern-day empire, such as the case of the Trump presidency and Trump, Inc.
- In the realm of general news, there are ongoing debates about whether the Trump administration's business ventures, particularly in the Middle East, should be considered as finance-driven or as elements of foreign policy.
- The crime-and-justice sector is also closely monitoring the actions of Trump and his allies, as the use of political power for personal gain may lead to allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
