The Art of the Bribe: Trump’s Stock Market Corruption
Trump Media is gifting stock to key government picks. Ethics violations? Emoluments Clause violations? Or just another day in Trump’s America?
Donald Trump has never been one to separate his business interests from his presidency. Now, he’s turned the U.S. government into an extension of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG)—his social media company—by handing out tens of thousands of shares to his top government nominees.
Kash Patel, his pick for FBI Director, and Linda McMahon, his nominee for Education Secretary, were each awarded nearly 52,000 TMTG shares (Politico) linked to their positions on the board in 2024 and 2025. These are not just loyalists—they are financially tied to the president’s personal business empire.
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The ethical disaster here is obvious. The FBI Director could oversee an agency that may investigate Trump Media for financial or legal violations. McMahon, a former WWE executive turned government official, would be responsible for policies that could impact social media’s influence on education. Both would be making decisions while personally profiting off Trump’s business interests. A loyalist, bought and paid for, knows their role.
And that’s just the ones who didn’t buy their nominations. Looking at you, Musk.
It gets worse. Trump’s entire first term was riddled with self-enrichment scandals. He raked in millions from foreign diplomats staying at Trump hotels, funneled government contracts to his properties, and pushed tax policies that benefited his real estate empire (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington). In term two, he’s handing out company shares to those who will help him maintain power, hosting the House Republican retreat at his Doral Miami property, and spending a weekend golfing at Mar-a-lago to kickstart his epic fleecing of the taxpayers as he works on beating his previous record of 500 visits to his properties on our dime.
This is not normal. This is not legal. It may even violate the Emoluments Clause, which bars federal officials from receiving financial benefits tied to their office (NPR). The Senate must demand Patel and McMahon divest immediately—or refuse their confirmations. This is timely. Both will face a vote soon. Otherwise, Trump’s America will become an outright kleptocracy, where the cost of a government job is a big wallet and fealty to the boss, and the reward is a fat stock portfolio.