It looks like President Donald Trump is spending his time in office trying to get richer rather than serving the people of the United States. Trump has bought hundreds of bonds since he returned to office, including those sold by U.S. companies affected by the sweeping changes to federal policies he’s championed.
The 690 transactions, the first of which was made the day after his inauguration, total at least $103.7 million, according to a document released by the White House on Tuesday that disclosed the billionaire’s investing activity this year through early August.
A bond is a type of investment where you lend money to a government, company, or organization in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of your money at a set future date. Bonds are generally considered safer than stocks, offering more stable returns. Common types include government, municipal, and corporate bonds. Investors earn through interest (called the coupon) and get their original amount (principal) back at maturity. However, bonds carry risks like default, interest rate changes, and inflation. They’re ideal for conservative investors seeking steady income and lower risk. Bonds are essential in diversified investment portfolios.
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In the United States, there is no law that outright bans presidents from trading stocks or owning individual investments while in office. However, presidents are expected to follow ethics rules and conflict-of-interest guidelines to prevent them from using their position for personal financial gain.
While federal employees are typically subject to strict conflict-of-interest laws, the president and vice president are largely exempt from these rules. This means a sitting president can technically buy, sell, or hold stocks, even in industries affected by their decisions—though doing so could raise serious ethical concerns.
To avoid conflicts, many presidents place their assets in a blind trust or diversified mutual funds, so they do not directly control or know exactly what they’re invested in. This is considered best practice but is not legally required. For example, President Jimmy Carter placed his peanut farm in a blind trust, while others, like Trump, did not.
Critics argue that allowing presidents to trade can undermine public trust, especially if there’s a perception they’re profiting from insider knowledge. Some lawmakers have proposed legislation to restrict or ban trading by top officials, including the president, but as of now, no such law exists.
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In addition to municipal bonds issued by local governments, school boards, airport authorities and gas districts, Trump bought corporate debt in tranches of at least $500,000 each from Qualcomm Inc., Home Depot and T-Mobile U.S. Inc. on Feb. 10. He also purchased at least $250,000 of debt from Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. later that month.
The case of Trump’s reported bond purchases while in office highlights ongoing concerns about financial transparency and ethical boundaries for U.S. presidents. Although not illegal, active trading by a sitting president, especially in assets tied to industries influenced by federal policy, raises questions about potential conflicts of interest. The U.S. president is largely exempt from federal conflict-of-interest laws, and while placing assets in a blind trust is recommended to avoid ethical issues, it is not mandatory.
Critics argue that this lack of oversight can erode public trust, particularly if presidential decisions appear to benefit personal investments. Trump’s bond transactions, which reportedly exceed $100 million in value, underscore the need for clearer rules and accountability. As debates continue over whether top elected officials should be allowed to actively trade, the broader concern remains: ensuring that public service is driven by the national interest, not personal financial gain.
The report, which all federal elected officials and appointees who trade must submit, doesn’t provide exact amounts or prices, since only broad ranges of transactions involving stocks, bonds, commodity futures and other securities are required. Trump reported no sales.
1 Comment
I’m sure POTUS isn’t sitting in the oval office watching the market and buying bonds. I’m 100% sure it is an investment team monitoring market conditions and maintaining his portfolio. This isn’t illegal and is extremely transparent as opposed to the insider trading that most politicians do behind our backs and are protected from while a seated member of the House or Congress. Why don’t you investigate that topic and write something worthy instead of attempting to tarnish the name of the POTUS who actually puts America First.