White House responds to bombshell report claiming Donald Trump has pocketed $1.4 billion in the past 12 months

The Trump family’s business empire has continued to grow, and the White House has now responded to a major report claiming that Donald Trump personally made around $1.4 billion in just the past year while serving his second term as President of the United States.

A detailed review by the editorial board of The New York Times, using reporting and financial analysis from several news organisations, says Trump has used the power and visibility of the presidency to generate enormous personal wealth. The report argues that the $1.4 billion figure is likely a conservative estimate, because some income streams are not fully visible to the public.

Donald Trump has always been known for doing things in an extreme way. From signing a huge number of executive orders almost immediately after being sworn in again, to making bold threats about foreign countries and dramatic statements about global conflicts, his presidency has rarely been quiet. According to the report, that same aggressive approach has also extended to money-making.

Since returning to office, Trump has reportedly made massive profits from overseas business deals, golf resorts, cryptocurrency ventures, media projects, and legal settlements with major companies. Critics say this shows a clear overlap between his political power and his personal financial interests.

One major source of income has been the use of the Trump name abroad. Since his re-election, his brand has reportedly been licensed overseas, bringing in about $23 million. At the same time, the Trump family’s golf clubs and resorts have continued to perform strongly, earning an estimated $33 million.

In some cases, foreign policy decisions have appeared to line up closely with Trump’s business interests. In Vietnam, for example, the Trump brand has been linked to a new golf complex worth around $1.5 billion near Hanoi.

This came after the administration softened its stance on tariffs that had previously been threatened. Critics argue this raises serious questions about whether political decisions are being influenced by private business opportunities.

The Trump Organization is also said to be pursuing hotel and office tower projects across the Middle East, including in countries such as Oman and Saudi Arabia. These deals have reportedly brought in millions more for the family.

There has also been controversy over a luxury jet worth around $400 million that was reportedly provided by Qatar for Trump to use as Air Force One. The aircraft does not appear to have any requirement to be returned once Trump leaves office, adding to concerns about gifts and benefits tied to his position.

Another major money stream has come from cryptocurrency. Over the past year, the Trump administration has publicly embraced digital assets, with Trump saying he wants the United States to become the “crypto capital of the world.” Behind the scenes, Trump-linked crypto ventures have exploded in value.

According to reports, investors were encouraged to buy large amounts of World Liberty tokens, a cryptocurrency connected to the Trump family. While early pitches mentioned figures around $20 million, the actual investments grew much larger.

One company, Aqua1 Foundation, reportedly invested $100 million in these tokens. By mid-2026, Trump-related crypto ventures were said to have brought in around $802 million in total, including hundreds of millions from token sales and a Trump-branded meme coin.

On top of that, a media deal involving Melania Trump added yet another major payday. Melania reportedly agreed to star in and executive-produce an Amazon documentary about her life.

The deal is said to be worth around $40 million and is expected to include both a feature-length film and a short docuseries. While Amazon has confirmed the project exists, details about its content and title have not yet been released.

Trump has also received large settlement payments from major tech and media companies. Firms including Meta, X, YouTube, ABC News, and Paramount have all paid out in legal disputes.

One high-profile case involved Paramount agreeing to a $16 million settlement following Trump’s claims about biased editing of a television interview. While the company said the money would go toward a future presidential library or charitable causes, critics argue these settlements still benefit Trump’s legacy and influence.

In response to all of this, the White House has strongly pushed back. A spokesperson said claims of conflicts of interest are exaggerated and irresponsible, and insisted that Trump’s decisions are driven only by what he believes is best for the American people.

Still, the report has reignited debate about whether a sitting president should be allowed to continue expanding a private business empire while in office.

Supporters say Trump is a successful businessman who plays by the rules, while critics argue that the scale of the money involved shows how blurred the line has become between public service and personal profit.