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Trump tells CNBC there is 'nothing illegal' in crypto investments and says he is forgoing the Presidential salary
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

International/The Apex Times/Jul 3, 4:19 AM EDT

Trump tells CNBC there is 'nothing illegal' in crypto investments and says he is forgoing the Presidential salary

In an Oval Office interview with CNBC’s Joe Kernen, President Donald Trump defended crypto-related income disclosed in financial filings, addressed questions about his family’s business ties, and said he has chosen to forgo pay from the office.

3 min readEditor-approved Apex article

President Donald Trump told CNBC in an Oval Office interview on July 2 that there was “nothing illegal” or “wrong” with his cryptocurrency investments, as he also defended his family’s business dealings amid ongoing scrutiny of potential conflicts. Speaking to CNBC’s Joe Kernen, Trump said his approach to the investments is consistent with him being “a really good business person,” and he addressed the disclosure of more than $580 million in crypto-related income that CNBC said came from financial disclosures released recently.

According to CNBC’s reporting of the disclosures, Trump’s cryptocurrency income included about $515 million from Trump-linked World Liberty Financial token sales and about $65 million from sales of equity in WLF’s holding company. Trump did not provide additional documentation in the interview as reported by CNBC, but he framed the issue as having a legal and ethical basis, saying there was no wrongdoing in owning or profiting from those investments.

Trump also responded to concerns that his family could benefit from policies shaped by the presidency. He said his children could face scrutiny because presidential decisions touch “nearly every part of the economy,” and he described telling them to avoid situations that could be interpreted as improper. “I tell my kids, ‘stay away,’” Trump said, adding, “But they also have a life,” and arguing that his children had been conducting business long before he ran for president.

In one example highlighted by CNBC, Trump said that if his children were to buy an energy efficient truck, there could be questions about whether they had access to nonpublic information. He said he instructs them to stay away from opportunities that might raise those concerns, while maintaining that their business activities do not violate rules or law.

The interview also included Trump’s statement that he is forgoing the Presidential salary, describing the job as having a “bigger purpose” than making money. CNBC reported that Trump made the comments in the context of a broader set of topics, including his administration’s positions on foreign policy and emerging technology.

CNBC reported that Trump discussed multiple international and economic issues in the same conversation, including the status of an agreement with Iran and his views on artificial intelligence. The interview aired as the administration continues to face questions about ethics oversight and disclosure requirements tied to financial holdings and family-related business interests, issues that typically carry legal and institutional consequences for public officials.

For public observers, the practical impact of the interview centers on how the administration explains conflicts of interest and disclosure questions, and whether the statements align with the formal financial reporting that underpins public review. Trump’s remarks also add detail to the timeline of public debate surrounding crypto-linked income and the scope of scrutiny applied to family members’ business relationships.

The next steps for these issues depend on how relevant oversight bodies, ethics officials, and any legal proceedings address the underlying disclosures and whether existing government guidance is sufficient to manage the circumstances described by Trump in the interview.

Why It Matters

  • Trump’s remarks directly address public questions about conflicts of interest and the interpretation of financial disclosures for a sitting president, a matter that can shape oversight and institutional accountability.
  • The scale of the reported crypto-related income makes compliance and disclosure accuracy especially significant for ethics review and public trust.
  • Trump’s statements about forgoing salary highlight how compensation decisions are framed publicly, affecting how the administration responds to debates over pay and stewardship.
  • By linking the debate on his family’s businesses to broad presidential policy effects, Trump is emphasizing the boundaries of acceptable conduct that regulators and courts may later test.
  • The interview’s inclusion of Iran and AI underscores that domestic ethics controversies can run in parallel with ongoing national security and economic policy issues.

Sources

Key Facts

  • In a July 2 Oval Office interview with CNBC’s Joe Kernen, President Donald Trump said there is “nothing illegal” or “wrong” with his cryptocurrency investments.
  • CNBC reported that Trump’s recent disclosures showed more than $580 million in crypto-related income, including about $515 million from Trump-linked World Liberty Financial token sales and about $65 million from sales of equity in WLF’s holding company.
  • Trump told CNBC his children face unusually broad scrutiny because presidential policy affects nearly every part of the economy, and he said he tells them to “stay away.”
  • CNBC reported Trump cited an example involving an energy efficient truck to illustrate how his family’s business decisions could be questioned in relation to potential inside information.
  • Trump told CNBC he has chosen to forgo the Presidential salary, saying the role has a “bigger purpose” than making money.
  • CNBC reported that the interview also covered Trump’s views on artificial intelligence and an agreement with Iran.