Ty Cobb, a lawyer and former top attorney in the Trump administration, has criticized Donald Trump, saying that everything Trump does is driven by a desire for revenge, wealth, power, and admiration. Cobb’s comments come as reports reveal that companies have spent around $80 million on projects benefiting the Trump family and the Trump presidential library since Trump’s return to the White House. This significant amount of money highlights the financial influence of the Trump name, with funds coming from donations, lawsuit settlements, and business deals.
One notable example is a $40 million deal with Amazon for a documentary series pitched by former First Lady Melania Trump during a dinner with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos at Mar-a-Lago. This deal is the largest Amazon has ever made for a documentary, surpassing offers from Disney, Netflix, and Apple. Melania Trump is set to receive more than 70% of the $40 million, and her agent has reportedly been seeking sponsorships for the film without Amazon’s knowledge. This is just one of many ways the Trump family has profited financially since returning to the White House.
The $80 million figure includes funds from various sources, such as legal settlements and new business ventures, but it does not account for potential gains from cryptocurrency businesses. A significant portion of the settlement money will go toward the Trump presidential library, while some funds, like a $10 million settlement from a lawsuit against X (formerly Twitter), will go directly to Trump himself.
Ty Cobb, who has become a critic of Trump, claims that the former president is now taking bolder steps to accumulate wealth and power compared to his first term. According to Cobb, Trump sees his position as an opportunity to capitalize on the fact that “all these people want a piece of him.” Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, has defended the family’s business practices, stating that the company is committed to exceeding its legal and ethical obligations during his father’s presidency.
However, Trump’s approach to ethics and conflicts of interest has raised concerns. During his first term, Trump pledged not to make foreign deals, but reports indicate that the Trump Organization is now open to working with foreign companies. Eric Trump has also expressed frustration with efforts to avoid conflicts of interest, saying he received little credit for trying to “do everything right” in 2016.
The Trump family’s financial gains have also been fueled by settlements from lawsuits. For example, a $25 million settlement with Meta (formerly Facebook) was reached after Trump alleged that the company violated his free speech rights by suspending his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Of this amount, $22 million will go to the Trump presidential library. Trump reportedly used his leverage as president-elect to push for settlements, telling Mark Zuckerberg during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago that the lawsuit needed to be resolved for things to move forward smoothly.
Additionally, Trump recently fired David Huitema, the director of the Office of Government Ethics, just two months into his five-year term. Huitema suggested that Trump is now more brazen in ignoring ethical guidelines compared to his first term, as he no longer wants an independent ethics office raising concerns about his actions.
In summary, Donald Trump and his family have significantly benefited financially since his return to the White House, with $80 million raised through various deals, settlements, and donations. Critics like Ty Cobb argue that Trump’s actions are driven by a desire for wealth, power, and adulation, while the Trump Organization maintains that it is committed to ethical practices. However, Trump’s approach to ethics and conflicts of interest has become more relaxed, raising questions about his adherence to legal and ethical standards.
