Corruption, Ethics and the Presidency
On the Democrats’ Agenda: Investigations of Trump and His Family
When a new Congress is sworn in, it will have the power to hold hearings and issue subpoenas, prompting one representative to advise White House officials and others to “lawyer up.” The New York Times
When does the pursuit of personal wealth by political leaders become a threat to democracy?
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze claims about political corruption and conflicts of interest.
- Evaluate evidence from multiple sources.
- Distinguish between what is legal and what is ethical.
- Develop arguments supported by evidence.
- Explore how democratic societies hold leaders accountable.
Background
Is This What Corruption Looks Like?
For generations, Americans have been told that public service is about serving the country, not enriching yourself. Yet during Donald Trump’s second presidency, the line between public office and private profit has become increasingly blurred.
Recent reports and investigations have raised questions about the relationship between President Donald Trump’s public role and his private business interests.
Among the issues being discussed are:
- Profits from cryptocurrency ventures associated with Trump and his family.
- Trump-branded golf and real estate developments, including projects in Vietnam.
- Foreign governments providing valuable gifts, including a luxury aircraft from Qatar.
- Political donors, lobbyists, and business leaders spending money at Trump-owned properties.
- The use of presidential pardons and allegations that a “pardon industry” has emerged around wealthy individuals seeking influence.
- Family members continuing to benefit from business ventures while Trump serves as president. See more info below.
Supporters argue that many of these activities are legal and that Trump’s business success existed long before entering politics. Critics argue that the overlap between public power and private profit creates serious conflicts of interest.
The debate raises an important question:
Is corruption simply breaking the law, or can legal actions still undermine public trust?
Warm-Up Activity – Think-Pair-Share
Discuss the following question:
Can an action be legal but still unethical?
Provide one example from everyday life. Students discuss with a partner and then share examples with the class.
Activity 1: Fact vs. Opinion
Read the statements below.
For each statement, identify whether it is:
- Fact
- Opinion
- Claim requiring evidence
Statements
- Trump has earned significant income from cryptocurrency ventures.
- The Trump presidency is the most corrupt in American history.
- Foreign governments should not provide expensive gifts to presidents.
- A luxury aircraft was provided by Qatar for presidential use.
- Trump-owned properties have hosted political donors and events.
Student Task
Create a table:
Discuss answers with a partner.
Activity 2: Ethics Investigation
Small Group Work
Each group examines one issue:
Group A Cryptocurrency ventures
Group B Golf resorts and international business deals
Group C Foreign gifts such as aircraft
Group D Pardons and political influence
Group E. Family business interests
Questions
- What happened?
- Who benefited?
- Was it legal?
- Was it ethical?
- Could it affect public trust?
- What additional information would you need?
Present Findings
Groups present a 2-minute summary.
Critical Thinking Questions
Answer in complete paragraphs.
- Is corruption only about breaking laws?
- Why might foreign governments seek relationships with business interests connected to political leaders?
- How does public trust influence democracy?
- Should elected officials have stricter ethical standards than ordinary citizens? Why or why not?
- How can journalists help expose potential conflicts of interest?
Writing Assignment
Opinion Essay
Prompt:
Are the financial activities linked to Donald Trump during his presidency evidence of corruption, conflicts of interest, or simply the normal operation of private business?
Requirements:
- 500-700 words
- Use at least three sources
- Present both sides of the argument
- Support conclusions with evidence
Sources for information
Consider what has happened.
While serving as president, Trump reported earning more than $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency ventures, including his family’s World Liberty Financial project and the $TRUMP memecoin. Crypto became the largest source of his income, exceeding earnings from many of his traditional business interests. [time.com], [investing.com]
At the same time, the Trump Organization expanded internationally. In Vietnam, a $1.5 billion Trump-branded golf resort and real estate project received approval while the country was negotiating trade issues with the United States. Vietnam’s prime minister even said the project had been expedited. Critics have questioned whether foreign governments and business interests are seeking favor through Trump-branded ventures. [reuters.com], [apnews.com]
Then there is the plane.
The Qatari government provided a luxury Boeing 747, reportedly worth around $400 million, for use as Air Force One. The aircraft immediately sparked ethics and constitutional debates, with critics arguing that no president should be accepting such a valuable gift from a foreign government. Supporters argued it would save taxpayers money. [houstonpub…cmedia.org], [factcheck.org], [apnews.com]
And the money keeps flowing through Trump’s private properties.
Mar-a-Lago and other Trump resorts have seen soaring revenues while serving as gathering places for donors, lobbyists, corporate executives, foreign visitors, political fundraisers, conferences, galas, weddings, . and exclusive events. Ethics watchdogs argue that paying for access to Trump’s properties creates opportunities for people seeking influence with the president. [ktvz.com], [krdo.com]
Defenders of the president point out that much of this activity may be legal and note that Trump’s businesses are formally managed by his children. The White House has repeatedly denied any conflicts of interest and insists all actions are taken in the public interest. [investing.com], [ktvz.com]
Kushner threatens to sue, denying allegations that two slush funds were set up to influence his Middle East role. A new book containing incendiary claims about Jared Kushner’s financial dealings during Donald Trump’s first term has ignited a political and media firestorm. In the book, the top intelligence official in the United Arab Emirates, Ali Al Shamsi, is reported to have called Kushner “the most expensive employee we’ve ever had”. The book details alleged payments into two “slush fund” bank accounts allegedly set up for Kushner by Emirati prince Mohamed bin Zayed (identified as “MBZ”) and Saudi Arabian prince Mohammed bin Salman (“MBS”) during Trump’s first term. The Guardian