'Unseemly': Critics alarmed with Trump Jr.'s 'transformation into Washington power broker'

In President Donald Trump’s second term, his son Donald Jr. has reportedly evolved from playing a relatively quiet role in Washington to becoming an influential figure in the nation's capital.

A report published in CBS News Wednesday titled "Donald Trump Jr.'s transformation into Washington power broker," quoted former White House press secretary Sean Spicer — who is familiar with Trump Jr. — as describing him as the "most prominent non-elected representative of the MAGA base hands down.

Spicer went on to call Donald Jr. "the No. 1 surrogate and power player in the ecosystem outside of his father."

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Last month, Donald Jr.'s ultra-exclusive private club called "Executive Branch" was launched in Washington, and the launch event was attended by Trump administration officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins, and FCC Chair Brendan Carr were among the guests, per the report.

It was later revealed by prominent newsletter writers that the club’s membership costs $500,000.

The report noted that exclusive clubs have traditionally been part of Washington’s landscape. They offer a space where lobbyists and wealthy donors interact with lawmakers and senior officials.

However, this initiative spearheaded by the president’s eldest son represents a departure from the norm — and, according to critics, illustrates how the Trump family has intensified the capital’s pay-to-play dynamics.

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For government watchdog groups, the exclusive social club represents what they view as a bold and growing entanglement between private enterprise and public policy.

Brett Kappel, a veteran Washington, D.C., election lawyer told CBS: "It's unseemly and it undermines the public's faith that the government is operating in the public interest."

Following his father's victory in the 2024 election, Trump Jr. has taken positions on at least eight corporate boards or advisory panels, according to the report.

Joseph Briffaut, a law professor at Columbia Law School, told CBS: "I don't think there has ever been anything comparable to this use of the presidency to advance private business interests."

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