Trump's approval rating is plummeting – as his fortune grows and grows
The US president says criticising his soaring investment portfolio is ‘very unfair’. Tell that to the millions of Americans struggling with the cost of living
TL;DR
- Donald Trump's net worth is estimated at $6.5bn and growing rapidly through business interests and stock trading.
- Trump claims his financial gains are for the country, not personal enrichment, citing stock trading as an example of benefiting the U.S.A.
- The article questions Trump's claims of making "hundreds of billions" for the U.S.A., suggesting exaggeration, and highlights that the US government's stake in Intel has increased in value.
- While Trump's stock holdings, particularly in oil and gas, have reportedly risen significantly due to geopolitical events, many Americans are struggling with the rising cost of necessities.
- Experts in government ethics have flagged the rarity and potential conflict of interest for presidents to hold and trade individual stocks.
- A New York Times investigation found numerous lawmakers and their family members engaged in stock trades within industries affected by their legislative work.
- A bill to prevent lawmakers and their family members from trading individual stocks is progressing through Congress, though it does not apply to the president or vice-president.
- Trump's approval rating has reached a record low of 33% among registered voters, though 72% of Republicans still approve of him.