Trump defends crypto earnings, family business dealings

President Donald Trump defended his family’s business activities after his latest financial disclosure revealed hundreds of millions of dollars in earnings from cryptocurrency ventures linked to his family. 

Speaking to CNBC at the White House, Trump argued that the president’s influence over the economy is so broad that almost any business decision involving his children could be viewed as a conflict of interest. 

He said he had advised his children to avoid situations that could attract criticism, but added that they had built their businesses long before he entered politics.

Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure showed he earned more than $580 million from cryptocurrency-related ventures, including about $515 million from token sales tied to World Liberty Financial and $65 million from the sale of equity in the company’s holding firm.

He maintained that the ventures were legal and said federal conflict-of-interest laws do not require presidents or vice presidents to step aside from decisions that could affect their own interests.

During the interview, Trump also discussed the economy, financial markets, the Supreme Court, Iran, the Federal Reserve, and the 2026 midterm elections.