President Trump's Bond Purchases Exceed $100 Million This Year

US President Donald Trump has purchased over $100 million in bonds since January 2021. The transactions include buying bonds issued by local governments, US corporations, and public companies like T-Mobile and Home Depot. Critics argue that elected officials should not be able to buy and sell stocks and bonds due to potential self-dealing. The transactions were disclosed by the US Office of Government Ethics.

US President Donald Trump has purchased over $100 million in bonds since his return to office in January 2021. The transactions, disclosed by the US Office of Government Ethics, include bonds issued by local governments, US corporations, and public companies such as T-Mobile and Home Depot.

The financial disclosure report, released on August 12, 2024, shows that Trump made 690 bond purchases totaling at least $103.7 million. These transactions began on the day after his inauguration and continued through early August. The report does not provide exact amounts or prices, but it does list the broad ranges of transactions involving stocks, bonds, commodity futures, and other securities.

Among the companies Trump has invested in are Qualcomm, Home Depot, Meta Platforms (Facebook), and T-Mobile. These investments come at a time when Trump's administration has implemented policies that could potentially affect these companies' operations and stock prices. For instance, Trump's trade policies have led to significant tariffs, which have impacted various industries, including technology and retail.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has not divested his assets or moved them into a blind trust. Instead, his sprawling business empire is managed by his sons and operates in areas that intersect with presidential policy. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the disclosure.

This latest financial disclosure adds to the ongoing debate about whether elected officials should be able to buy and sell stocks and bonds. While the law does not require presidents to divest assets that may pose conflicts of interest, Trump is the first president since the law was passed in 1978 to not do so.

The report also highlights Trump's ongoing wealth accumulation efforts. In addition to the bonds, Trump has listed hundreds of bonds held in personal investment accounts separate from his business empire, which includes properties like his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago, his stake in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., and crypto ventures that have added at least $620 million to his fortune in recent months.

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/bonds/donald-trump-embarks-on-104-million-bond-buying-spree-while-in-office/articleshow/123398324.cms