NPR Adds Details on Trump's Crypto Earnings, Including $500M from World Liberty Financial

A recent update to an NPR article about former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter's comments on President Trump's cryptocurrency earnings has added significant new information. The article now includes details on the specific sources of Trump's $1 billion in earnings, citing a 927-page financial disclosure report. According to the updated report, over $500 million came from the cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, which was co-founded by Trump family members. Additionally, Trump-branded meme coin sales generated more than $600 million. These specific figures were not included in the original article. The added details provide context to Painter's statement that Trump 'stands alone in having such substantial financial conflicts of interest' as president, highlighting the extent of Trump's involvement in cryptocurrency ventures and potential conflicts of interest. The changes enhance the article's ability to inform readers about the implications of Trump's financial dealings.

Related Changes

Former White House ethics lawyer on Trump's $1B crypto earnings +289 -28
− A Martínez NPR's A Martinez asks former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter about President Trump's financial disclosure that showed he made over $1 billion from crypto businesses.
+ A Martínez President Donald Trump departs the White House on May 22, 2025, in Washington. Trump traveled to his Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, where he held a dinner for top investors in his $TRUMP cryptocurrency. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption Planet Money How much money President Trump and his family have made President Donald Trump and his family earned more than $1 billion last year through cryptocurrency ventures and other businesses, according to a 927-page financial disclosure report filed with the Office of Government Ethics.
+ NPR's Linda Kenyon reports that more than $500 million came from the cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, which was co-founded by Trump family members, while Trump-branded meme coin sales generated more than $600 million. The disclosure also lists more than $50 million from media settlements and millions more from Trump-branded products, including Bibles, sneakers and watches. The White House denied any financial conflicts of interest. Spokesperson Anna Kelly praised the president for making the U.S. "the crypto capital of the world." Trump also said outside institutions manage his investments and that he does not speak with them. Throughline How Saudi Arabia shaped Silicon Valley Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter told Morning Edition that federal conflict-of-interest laws would prohibit other executive branch officials from taking similar actions, adding that Trump "stands alone in having such substantial financial conflicts of interest" as president. Speaking with NPR's A Martínez, Painter discussed the ethics questions surrounding Trump's cryptocurrency earnings, how presidents have traditionally handled their financial holdings and the role blind trusts play in avoiding conflicts of interest. Listen to the full interview by clicking on the blue play button above. The digital version was written by Majd Al-Waheidi with contributions from Lindsay Totty.
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