The Al Franken Podcast David Kirkpatrick on Trump’s Immense and Shameless Profiteering
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Nov 30, 2025 
David Kirkpatrick, a staff writer at The New Yorker and investigative journalist, discusses the astonishing ways the Trump family has profited during his presidency. He reveals the staggering $3.4 billion made through international deals, licensing, and cryptocurrency ventures. Kirkpatrick highlights ethical concerns and contrasts Trump's promises about foreign deals with the financial windfalls from Mar-a-Lago. He also explains the intricacies of NFTs and the influence of presidential endorsements in the crypto market, painting a vivid picture of modern profiteering.
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Mar-a-Lago's Membership Premium
- Mar-a-Lago memberships surged because members could mingle with the president and top aides in casual settings.
- Kirkpatrick attributes tens of millions in added Mar-a-Lago profit to that presidential access.
Gulf Licensing Boom Fueled By Presidency
- After the 2020 loss, Trump family pursued rapid licensing deals in the Gulf for hotels, golf courses, and condos.
- Kirkpatrick argues many Gulf projects likely wouldn't have happened without presidential influence.
Corporate Settlements And Presidential Leverage
- Kirkpatrick documents a pattern of corporate settlements where media companies paid to avoid regulatory or business risk.
- He connects these payouts to Trump's leverage over mergers, regulations, and government contracts.