[Trump’s International Business Partners Attend Inaugural Celebrations, Fueling Ethical Concerns
As President Donald Trump celebrated his inauguration, so did his company’s international business partners. Heads of foreign companies that have partnered with the Trump Organization appeared in social media photos smiling next to the president, shaking his hand, or attending exclusive events. This celebration has raised ethical concerns about Trump’s decision not to divest his business interests before taking office.
Trump’s assets have been placed in a trust managed by his children, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. The Trump Organization claims that its business operations and the office of the presidency will be walled off to avoid any ethical conflicts. However, the company still stands to benefit from its international partnerships, including licensing deals with foreign developers that have collectively paid millions of dollars a year to use the Trump brand.
The partnerships present the appearance or potential of the nation’s highest office being used to serve the private financial interests of Trump and his associates. The companies involved, including Dar Global, DAMAC Properties, and Tribeca Developers, have all announced plans to use the Trump name on new properties, including golf courses, towers, and resorts.
In November, the Sultan of Oman congratulated Trump on his electoral victory and wished for progress on investment relations between the two nations. The Trump Organization has launched a joint venture with Oman’s tourism development branch, which will create a $500 million luxury resort. Other business partners, including Hussain Sajwani, the CEO of DAMAC Properties, have also posted content referencing President Trump and his victory.
Critics argue that these arrangements present a conflict of interest and potentially undermine the public trust. Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said that Trump’s business connections leave open doorways for some to seek to influence him through those assets.
Trump has not taken any overt steps to benefit Trump-branded properties since taking office. However, the Trump Organization has not ruled out making new private foreign deals, and it is unclear whether these deals will benefit Trump’s presidential decisions.
Concerns about private interests leveraging a president’s name are not unique to Trump. Some of former President Joe Biden’s family members faced similar allegations. However, Trump’s ongoing business arrangements have been characterized as the most problematic in modern times due to their breadth and depth.
Attorneys have warned that Trump’s business arrangements also risk violating the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution, which bars federal officials from accepting presents from foreign states without congressional consent.
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