US President Donald Trump has responded to criticism over his 2025 financial disclosures, showing he earned $1.4 billion in revenue from crypto-related businesses during his time in office.
In an interview with CNBC’s Joe Kernen on Thursday, Trump said that there was “nothing illegal” and “nothing wrong” about profiting from his crypto investments as president. He claimed other people were responsible for his investments and that he didn’t “even know who they were,” without directly answering questions about perceived conflicts of interest as president.
Donald Trump (left) and Joe Kernen (right). Source: CNBC
Trump’s comments followed the release of his 2025 financial disclosure report by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, showing that he withdrew more than $2 billion from his businesses and investments, about $1.4 billion of which was tied to crypto projects like his memecoin and family platform World Liberty Financial. Many defense organizations have characterized investments as a “scam” allowing the president to influence related legislation like the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act.
After his first term as US president, Trump called Bitcoin (BTC) a “scam”. However, as the 2024 election approaches, he has started to get closer to many high-profile figures in the crypto industry, including Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, as well as executives from mining and exchange companies. He has since launched his own memecoin, Official Trump (TRUMP), in addition to his family’s involvement in World Liberty and American Bitcoin.
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Of the $1.4 billion crypto-related, Trump revealed his memecoin generated about $636 million, World Liberty sales about $588 million, and $197 million from stablecoin company equity.
“Donald is once again pushing the limits and no one, no one is stopping it,” said Mary Trump, the president’s niece. said in an interview Friday with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “Ultimately, because of his abuse of the presidential pardon power, many people are likely to get away with many financial crimes that caused real harm to people who invested in Donald’s companies because they believed in him and what he was selling.”
Crypto industry is betting big on the 2026 US elections
After digital asset companies spent $170 million supporting candidates they considered “pro-crypto” for Congress in 2024, political action committees (PACs) and organizations appear to have adopted the same playbook for 2026.
According to consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, companies and figures linked to the crypto industry had contributed $189 million towards this year’s election cycle starting in June. The contributions represent the bulk of the $294 million spent so far by crypto, AI, Big Tech and online betting companies to support or oppose politicians.
Trump’s term ends in January 2029, but all 435 House of Representatives seats and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs in the 2026 elections.
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