White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday it would be “ridiculous” to think President Trump is personally benefiting from his time at the White House, calling out reporters for questions about his family’s business ventures while in office.
Ahead of Trump’s trip to the Middle East next week, Leavitt pushed back on questioning over whether any family members are joining him and if the president has any plans to meet with people involved with the family businesses while in the region.
“Not to my knowledge, and let me just get to the premise of your question that both of you have raised. I think it’s frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit. He left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service, not just once, but twice,” she said.
Trump and his family have several business ventures in the Middle East.
The Trump Organization, which is run by the president’s son Eric Trump, recently agreed to a new Middle East golf course and real estate deal last month ahead of the president’s trip next week. President Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Leavitt insisted that the president, whose net worth has been estimated by Forbes to be in the billions, has lost money since being in office and pressed reporters on why the Biden administration didn’t get questioned on whether former President Biden was making money as president.
“The American public reelected [Trump] back to this White House because they trust he acts in the best interest of our country and putting the American public first. This is a president who has actually lost money for being president of the United States,” Leavitt said.
“I don’t remember these same type of questions being asked of my predecessor about a career politician who was clearly profiting all of this office. That is not what President Trump does, and this White House holds ourselves to the highest of ethical standards.”
The first question during Friday’s briefing was about Trump’s plans to attend a dinner next month with the top holders of his meme coin, which was unveiled shortly before he took office in January.
Leavitt insisted Trump attending the dinner is not a conflict of interest.
“The president is abiding by all conflict-of-interest laws. The president has been incredibly transparent with his own personal financial obligations throughout the years. The president is a successful businessman and I think, frankly, it’s one of the many reasons that people reelected him back to this office,” Leavitt said.
The reporter then pressed Leavitt on whether investors who think buying the coin is a way to influence the president’s views are wasting their money.
“I can assure you, the president acts with only the interest of the American public in mind, putting our country first in doing what’s best for our country. Full stop,” Leavitt said.
The event, scheduled for May 22 at Trump’s golf club near Washington, is touted as an opportunity to hear “firsthand” from Trump about the future of cryptocurrency. The top 25 holders will also receive an invitation to an “exclusive” reception with the president and a “special” White House tour.
