Donald Trump’s knack for turning everything into a business opportunity has once again come into focus. Tim O’Brien, who wrote the biography TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald, recently shared some eye-opening insights during an MSNBC interview.
O’Brien, who spent considerable time with Trump while researching his book, highlighted a recurring theme: Trump’s “aching thirst to monetize the presidency.” According to O’Brien, Trump’s tendency to slap his name on anything sellable, from merchandise to deals, isn’t new—it’s his signature move. But now, it’s taking center stage as he steps back into political power.
“Trump’s approach to profit is like picking low-hanging fruit,” O’Brien remarked, referring to the items Trump markets on his Truth Social platform. While it’s perfectly legal for private citizens to run LLCs, O’Brien pointed out the glaring lack of transparency in Trump’s ventures.
Here’s the real issue: “The founders never anticipated someone entering the White House with both their wallet wide open and an unquenchable thirst to cash in,” O’Brien said. This blurred line between public service and personal gain raises big concerns about financial conflicts of interest.
Without clear rules or visibility into who’s benefiting from these ventures, it leaves voters and policymakers in the dark. O’Brien believes this unchecked freedom could pose serious risks.
So, while Trump’s business savvy has always been part of his identity, the stakes feel higher now. Will the public demand more transparency? Only time will tell.
