The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board sharply criticized President Donald Trump and his family on Wednesday, arguing that their financial activities while he serves in the White House create troubling ethical questions and expose Republicans to future political attacks.
The editorial focused on President Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure report, contending that the Trump family has accumulated substantial wealth through cryptocurrency ventures and other investments during his second term.
“The Trump clan is cashing in on the Presidency in big and sketchy ways,” the editorial began.
According to the Journal, Trump’s financial disclosure shows he earned approximately $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency-related ventures over the past year. The newspaper said that total included roughly $635 million in royalties generated from Trump’s memecoin, which launched shortly before his inauguration, along with another $593 million from token and equity sales connected to World Liberty Financial.
The editorial noted that World Liberty Financial was co-founded by President Trump, his sons, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. It also pointed out that Witkoff’s son, Zach Witkoff, currently serves as the company’s chief executive officer.
The editorial board also revisited concerns surrounding the company’s international business relationships. Citing previous reporting, it said some overseas transactions involved foreign entities that “may have been trying to buy influence with the Administration.”
Among the examples highlighted were DWF Labs, a cryptocurrency company based in the United Arab Emirates, and the government of Pakistan. The editorial additionally referenced Abu Dhabi’s use of World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin in an investment involving Binance.
Beyond the cryptocurrency sector, the Journal argued that members of the Trump family have also profited from investments connected to industries that have received federal support.
The editorial cited portions of the president’s financial disclosure showing gains from shares in critical minerals company MP Materials. It also pointed to investments made by Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm in Vulcan Elements before the company later received a $620 million government loan.
In addition, the board noted that a firm partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump invested in a company supporting a tungsten mining project in Kazakhstan before the administration announced a minerals agreement with the country.
While acknowledging the transactions may comply with the law, the editorial argued they nevertheless create the appearance of the president’s family benefiting from his time in office.
“Assuming all of this is legal, it’s still an unseemly display of using the Presidency for family profit,” the editorial board wrote. “It’s hard to believe the Trump boys would be able to do the same deals if Dad wasn’t in the Oval Office.”
The editorial also warned that the issue could become a significant political liability if control of Congress changes hands following this year’s elections.
“If Democrats take back the House or Senate this November, they will have a field day probing the Trump family deals,” the board wrote. “Charges of GOP corruption will resound through 2028.”
The editorial concluded by arguing that Americans should expect a higher standard from any occupant of the Oval Office.
“Americans, and especially his supporters, deserve better from this or any President,” the editorial stated.
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