Planet Money How much money President Trump and his family have made
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Jan 14, 2026 
Join New Yorker reporter David Kirkpatrick, who dives deep into the staggering nearly $4 billion in profits made by President Trump and his family during his time in office. He outlines how aggressive financial deals emerged in Trump's second term, including lucrative ventures in media and real estate. Ethics expert Fred Wertheimer highlights the unprecedented nature of these profits in U.S. history, discussing conflicts of interest and the potential impact on democracy. Tune in for a fascinating look at profit-making in politics!
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Counting Cash In Hand Only
- Kirkpatrick counts only money actually paid into Trump family bank accounts during the presidency.
- He intentionally excluded deals that likely would have occurred without Trump as president.
Merch That Feels Like Campaign Gear
- The Trump family sold branded merchandise that resembled campaign gear but routed profits to themselves.
- That merch line generated about $27.7 million for the family.
Loophole To Fund Legal Defense
- Trump converted campaign funds into legal-defense spending via a loophole, netting roughly $100 million in defense support.
- Combined with merch, that category totals about $127.7 million.