The New York Times Editorial Board – Gift Article – “One year ago, Donald Trump took an oath to serve the American people. Instead, he has focused on using the presidency to enrich himself. President Trump has never been a man to ask what he can do for his country. In his second term, as in his first, he is instead testing the limits of what his country can do for him. He has poured his energy and creativity into the exploitation of the presidency — into finding out just how much money people, corporations and other nations are willing to put into his pockets in hopes of bending the power of the government to the service of their interests. A review by the editorial board relying on analyses from news organizations shows that Mr. Trump has used the office of the presidency to make at least $1.4 billion. We know this number to be an underestimate because some of his profits remain hidden from public view. And they continue to grow…”

See also Bob Bauer/Executive Functions – “The New York Times [see link above] recently reviewed the substantial wealth Donald Trump and his family have so far accrued in his second term as president and asked: “How much can one man make from being president?” It is a lot, which the Times estimates, on the basis of major news organization reporting, to be $1.4 billion and almost certainly more. A Wall Street Journal study puts the number at $4 billion in proceeds and paper wealth [additional info not behind paywall]. Another question about Trump 2.0 is the longer-term significance of this unprecedented profiteering in office. Polling suggests strong public disapproval, though the degree of disapproval is far higher among Democrat and Independents than among Republicans. But given the openness and extent of his and his family’s self-enrichment since he took office, and given the clear conflicts of interest between his business interests and major administration policy initiatives, such as crypto, it is striking that these events have not attained the status of “scandal.”

See also Liz Oyer / Lawyer Oyer – Trump’s year-one pardons have erased over $1.5 billion in penalties for fraud and other crimes. “In just one year, Donald Trump has used the clemency power to wipe out restitution, fined, and forfeitures totaling over $1.5 billion. This includes sums owed to fraud victims and taxpayers…”