Corruption in American Politics: A Legacy Beyond Trump

President Trump's recent visit to the Persian Gulf served a dual agenda. His first stop was Saudi Arabia, where the Trump Organization—now managed by his sons—is actively involved in several business ventures.

Amid widespread public concern over these dealings, especially controversies like the offer of a Qatari jet as a gift, it is important to recognize two truths simultaneously: the Trump administration's pay-to-play schemes with foreign entities are unprecedentedly bold in American history, yet these actions did not arise in isolation.

Any one of the recent foreign agreements, including memecoin ventures and covert cryptocurrency fundraising, alongside open attempts to attract investments from authoritarian regimes and oligarchs, would have sparked major scandals under past administrations. Meanwhile, Trump’s family members and associates have traveled globally, securing lucrative foreign clients.

While President Trump may have redefined presidential corruption with his conduct, his administration is part of a continuum where previous officials often overlooked how foreign regimes and wealthy foreign actors sought to exploit and finance American political figures.

The Trump family’s global business activities reflect inventive methods to capitalize on the president’s return to power. From an exclusive Executive Branch club offering privileged access to the administration for half a million dollars, to a Trump family cryptocurrency enterprise that recently secured a multibillion-dollar deal with an Abu Dhabi-backed fund, the family’s dealings extend further. Jared Kushner’s involvement includes numerous multimillion-dollar investments from autocratic backers. These actions demonstrate a disregard for potential ethical concerns or consequences when engaging with kleptocratic clients.

This pattern is not unique to the Trump family. For instance, President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, also leveraged his family name for years while traveling internationally. Despite apparent violations of U.S. foreign lobbying laws, Hunter Biden faced no legal repercussions, undermining his father's campaign promises to confront such practices. This precedent raises questions about why Trump’s children would choose to act differently.