NYT hits 'brazen' Trump for exploiting presidency to make 'at least $1.4 billion'

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 marks the first anniversary of Donald Trump's second presidency, which has been even more chaotic and turbulent than his first. During his 2024 campaign, Trump argued that the Biden Administration wasn't serving Americans well economically — especially when it came to the cost of living. And he promised to lower prices "on Day 1" if he won the election.

But in a scathing editorial published a year after his return to the White House, the New York Times' editorial board argues that Trump has used his second presidency to increase his own net worth while failing average Americans on the economy.

"A review by the editorial board relying on analyses from news organizations shows that Mr. Trump has used the office of the presidency to make at least $1.4 billion," the board explains. "We know this number to be an underestimate because some of his profits remain hidden from public view. And they continue to grow."

The board goes on to cite a variety of ways in which Trump is getting even richer, noting that "the Trumps have made at least $23 million from licensing Mr. Trump's name overseas since his reelection" and that "the Trumps are pocketing $28 million from Amazon for a documentary about (First Lady) Melania Trump."

The Times editorial board also points out that "major tech and media companies have paid Mr. Trump $90.5 million in settlements since his reelection — and that "Qatar gave Mr. Trump a $400 million jet that he will use as Air Force One while president and plans to take with him after leaving office." According to the board, "the Trumps have made at least $867 million through various cryptocurrencies."

"All told, Mr. Trump has profited from his return to the presidency by an amount of money equal to 16,822 times the median U.S. household income," the Times editorial writers lament. "Mr. Trump's hunger for wealth is brazen. Throughout the nation's history, presidents of both parties have taken care to avoid even the appearance of profiting from public service. This president gleefully squeezes American corporations, flaunts gifts from foreign governments and celebrates the rapid growth of his own fortune."

Read the full New York Times editorial at this link (subscription required).