The American Kleptopresidency

As the cancer of money in politics progressed in America, it certainly came as no surprise that presidencies would eventually be bought and sold. Not that the current resident of the Oval Office was bought, he arrived by the award of delegates to the Electoral College, as all presidents do. Yet he is the first to offer up the office so obviously for sale.

This is no subterfuge, actual merchandise is on offer

The sale of the Trump Brand for a hotel-condominium complex, Trump Tower Belgrade, is an example in Serbia, announced just days before his inauguration and planned for 175 hotel rooms and 1,500 residences.

(Mother Jones) In December, two new developments in Saudi Arabia were announced. Another real estate developer, DarGlobal, will own the sites, but pay the Trump Organization to use Trump branding. The Trump Organization will also work with DarGlobal on another project in the United Arab Emirates.

In October, the Trump Organization announced a partnership with a Vietnamese real estate developer to build a $1.5 billion golf course and hotel. Vietnam, which is the US trading partner with the fourth-highest trade surplus, could be heavily impacted if Trump imposes steep tariffs on the country’s exports to the US.

But I would guess that possible threat has been cooked into the deal, partnered with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his Affinity Partners. Of interest is the fact that Affinity Partners is financed by the Saudi government through Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), with whom Kushner formed a friendship during his time in the White House.

Ah yes, those White House friendships ae the gift that keeps on giving

But lest we forget, there are the trinkets on offer, those shiny little baubles Trump delights in promoting to his followers. A $100,000.00 watch, perhaps his tackiest item yet, but he’ll gladly sell you one.

(Mother Jones again) Since his first term, Trump has diversified his business interests, providing more options for foreign influence. Trump is the largest shareholder of a publicly traded social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social. Foreign governments seeking to curry favor with Trump could buy advertising on Truth Social or purchase stock in the company, driving up its price. Trump’s new crypto ventures, World Liberty Financial, and his meme coin, provide even more opaque ways for foreign entities to buy influence.

A visit to trumpstore.com is a must, to EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF TRUMP through The Inauguration Collection, and so much more. In times when closures and bankruptcies of major American merchandising idols surged by 69% in 2024, it’s comforting to see that an American president can still carry the day.

Whether or not that runs afoul of the Constitution or opens us to foreign diplomatic pressures is another question.

But so far, it’s been a matter of shoot first, and decide the niceties of the law after the smoke clears.