Trump used presidency to expand family business, wealth rises by ₹12,800 crore in one year: report reveals

Washington DC (The Uttam Hindu): Former US President Donald Trump recently claimed at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he is making America great and rich again. He said his policies and tariffs have brought investments worth nearly ₹16.48 lakh crore into the US economy. However, a report published by The New York Times (NYT) on January 20 presents a different picture.

According to the report, while American consumers bore the burden of the tariff war, Trump’s personal wealth saw a sharp rise. NYT stated that after returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump’s net worth increased by at least ₹12,810 crore within one year. The report added that the actual figure could be even higher, as several earnings have not been publicly disclosed.

Reports from The Wall Street Journal claim that at least eight Trump-branded projects are operational or planned in India. These include residential towers, commercial properties, and other developments. The report alleged that Trump used the power of the presidency to benefit himself and his family, including entering into deals with foreign governments and companies that generated income for his family.

A major portion of Trump’s earnings reportedly came from overseas real estate projects. The Trump Organization is said to be involved in more than 20 international projects. By licensing the “Trump” brand, he reportedly earned around ₹210 crore, including deals linked to a luxury hotel in Oman and a golf course project in Saudi Arabia.

In India, the first Trump-branded commercial project, Trump World Center, is being developed in Pune. This project alone is expected to generate more than $289 million in revenue for Trump. Residential and hotel projects linked to the Trump brand are also listed in Gurugram. Notably, just a few months ago, Trump had described India as a “dead economy,” a statement that drew widespread attention.