Trump’s Business Ties: Ethical Dilemmas and Foreign Influence in His Second Term

As former presidents, foreign dignitaries, and industry leaders gathered in Washington for the presidential inauguration, another distinct group also made an appearance—President Donald Trump’s international business partners. 

These executives, who have partnered with the Trump Organization, posted social media photos of themselves shaking hands with Trump, attending exclusive events, and celebrating his victory.

Their open support highlights the ethical challenges surrounding Trump’s presidency, given his refusal to divest from his business empire. His assets remain in a trust managed by his children, a structure identical to his first term. 

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, insists that the company and the presidency remain separate to avoid ethical conflicts. 

However, Trump still financially benefits from his extensive global business interests, which include licensing deals with foreign developers who pay millions annually to use the Trump brand. These business ties inevitably intersect with Trump’s foreign policy decisions.

One developer behind Trump-branded projects in India celebrated Trump’s election win, stating, “Upholding Donald Trump’s vision, we’re building iconic landmarks.” Similarly, a Middle Eastern developer working on Trump properties said in Arabic, “We celebrated the new American president because we worked on many projects with Trump’s group.” These public endorsements raise concerns that foreign companies and governments may attempt to influence Trump by leveraging business relationships with his organization.

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, warns that these business dealings create the appearance—or even the possibility—that Trump’s presidency serves private financial interests. “When there are significant business relationships between foreign individuals and the president, and when foreign governments have the power to impact those businesses, the question arises: will that influence Donald Trump’s decisions?” Bookbinder asked.

During his first term, Trump faced scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest. In 2019, the White House announced plans to host the G7 summit at Trump’s Doral property in Florida but later reversed the decision after public backlash. Additionally, House Democrats discovered that foreign governments spent at least $7.8 million at Trump-owned entities while he was in office. These past incidents suggest a pattern that raises new ethical concerns as Trump begins his second term.

Unlike his first term, the Trump Organization has not ruled out pursuing new private foreign deals while he is in office. The company has pledged not to enter into new agreements specifically with foreign governments but continues to engage in business with foreign entities. Before the November election, Trump’s business launched a project in collaboration with Oman’s tourism arm, marking an active deal involving a foreign government.

This partnership focuses on constructing a Trump-branded resort along Oman’s coast, in collaboration with private developer Dar Global. The company’s CEO and its parent company’s chairman attended inaugural celebrations, with the chairman appearing in a social media post alongside Trump. Dar Global has also launched Trump-branded projects in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, further intertwining Trump’s political and business interests.

As Trump resumes office, his ongoing business relationships continue to blur the line between presidential responsibilities and private financial gains. With foreign partners openly celebrating his victory while promoting their projects, the ethical questions persist: How will Trump’s presidency impact his business empire, and vice versa?

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