Category: Corruption

Trump DOJ agrees to new Michael Flynn payout as allies make bank without ‘slush fund’ – Raw Story

Trump's administration reached a second settlement with retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, agreeing to pay him approximately $38,557 that the Army had withheld from his retirement over a 2015 speaking fee from Russia Today, a Russian state-owned media outlet. Flynn had challenged the withholding, claiming the Pentagon's Defense Finance and Accounting Service violated his rights when it determined he violated the Emoluments Clause by receiving compensation from a foreign government without required approval. The settlement, reported below $75,000, follows Flynn's much larger $1.25 million payment in March to resolve claims of politically motivated prosecution, despite his 2017 guilty plea for lying to the FBI about contacts with a Russian diplomat.

The pattern of payouts to Trump allies continues despite the administration's abandonment of a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that would have systematized such payments. The fund, created from a settlement of Trump's personal IRS lawsuit, drew bipartisan opposition and was blocked by a federal judge. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded legal bans on such payments, stating Trump's commitment to halt them was insufficient. Yet the Flynn settlement demonstrates the administration continues compensating allies through individual lawsuits rather than a centralized mechanism.

Flynn is not alone among Trump associates receiving government payouts under this administration. The family of Ashli Babbitt, killed by Capitol Police during the January 6 riot, was awarded $4.975 million in 2025. Former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page received $1.25 million in April for claims related to FBI surveillance. Each settlement compensates individuals the Trump administration frames as victims of government "weaponization," a characterization contradicted by documented facts including Flynn's guilty plea and Babbitt's participation in the Capitol breach.

Flynn's latest case is not concluded, with the parties required to file another status report by July 27, 2026, or abandon the suit according to court filings. The Justice Department stated it would comply with the federal judge's ruling blocking the broader fund, yet these individual settlements accomplish the same outcome without the transparency or statutory restrictions a formalized fund would require. The pattern reflects Trump's use of litigation settlements and direct payments to reward loyalists while circumventing legal oversight.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/michael-flynn-second-settlement/)

Trump Vows F-35 Sale to Turkey, Attacks NATO Spending

President Donald Trump attacked NATO during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Tuesday, claiming the alliance failed to support the United States in an Iran military operation and questioning why America invests trillions defending European nations. Trump stated, "We've invested trillions of dollars in NATO. Why? To protect European countries and others, Canada, etc.," while accusing NATO members of refusing assistance despite his requests.

During the same meeting, Trump declared his willingness to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey despite explicit U.S. law prohibiting the sale until Turkey removes its Russian S-400 missile system. Trump told reporters, "We have a better relationship with Turkey, and Turkey has been more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal. So yeah, it is something certainly we would consider," directly contradicting existing legal restrictions designed to prevent advanced weapons transfers to nations with Russian military equipment.

Trump's statements demonstrate his pattern of subordinating national security policy and legal constraints to personal relationships and transactional loyalty calculations. Trump has repeatedly demonstrated fundamental misunderstandings about F-35 capabilities, falsely claiming the jets are invisible to the naked eye when they are only radar-stealthy, undermining confidence in his judgment on weapons systems decisions.

Trump specifically criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for NATO's lack of support during the Iran operation, personalizing geopolitical strategy rather than addressing structural alliance commitments. His trip to the NATO Summit in Ankara came only after initially refusing to attend, reversing course out of personal regard for Erdoğan, whom he repeatedly referred to as his "friend." The New York Times had reported Trump intended to signal willingness to sell F-35s to Turkey before the meeting occurred.

Trump's willingness to circumvent federal law governing weapons sales, his weaponization of alliance relationships based on personal loyalty, and his dismissal of collective security obligations in favor of transactional deals violate established foreign policy frameworks and subordinate institutional checks to executive preference. His pressure on NATO and simultaneous cultivation of authoritarian-friendly Turkey positions the U.S. strategic interests against democratic alliance structures.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-bashes-nato-debates-selling-fighter-jets-to-loyal-turkey-despite-restrictions/)

Trump Pressures FIFA to Reverse Star Player’s World Cup Ban

President Donald Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, which would have barred the U.S. Men's National Team star from Monday's World Cup match against Belgium. Trump claimed during a White House press conference that he understood sports well enough to intervene after viewing slow-motion footage of the collision, asserting that Balogun "didn't do anything wrong" and characterizing the card as unfair to the team's best player.

Trump argued the red card penalty was unjust because it prevented Balogun from playing in a future game rather than just the match in which the infraction occurred. He stated: "It's one thing to penalize somebody for the game. But how do you penalize him for a game that hasn't been played yet?" Trump also criticized the officiating, suggesting the referee was "a little bit suspect," and framed his action as simply requesting a review rather than demanding a specific outcome.

The president lavished praise on Infantino during his remarks, claiming his respect for the FIFA chief had increased "10-fold" due to the organization's handling of World Cup broadcasting, which Trump said was achieving Super Bowl-level ratings. Trump credited Infantino as "a smart, tough man" whose decision-making had proven sound, further stating that competitive integrity required fielding all available top players.

Belgium's football association formally protested the reversal, expressing being "astonished" that Balogun would participate in the match. Trump dismissed their concerns, arguing that a Belgian victory would lack legitimacy if the U.S. team played without one of its best players, framing the match as meaningless under such conditions.

The incident underscores FIFA's vulnerability to political pressure and elite interference, with a sitting U.S. president successfully leveraging his office to overturn a sporting decision through direct contact with the organization's leadership, highlighting persistent governance failures at the international body.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-confirms-he-called-fifa-boss-to-get-star-usa-player-back-in-world-cup-thats-very-unfair/)

Trump considering pardon for P. Diddy and other high-profile figures to mark America’s 250th: report | The Independent

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a pardon for Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, the music mogul currently imprisoned in federal prison in New Jersey for prostitution-related crimes, according to CBS News sources. Trump is also weighing clemency for Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of The Fugees, who is serving time for foreign lobbying violations. These potential pardons would reportedly be part of a White House effort to issue “250 pardons for 250 years” to mark America’s 250th anniversary during Independence Day celebrations.

Trump denied considering Combs’ pardon request in January, telling the New York Times he was not granting the alleged request, and the White House similarly dismissed pardon speculation last year. Trump and Combs, both New York-based businessmen with reality television backgrounds, previously knew each other socially, but Trump stated in May that he had not seen or spoken to Combs in years, attributing the relationship’s end to his entry into politics. Combs and Michel are both currently appealing their convictions and sentences.

Trump has deployed the pardon power to benefit political allies, business associates, celebrities, and white-collar criminals. He has pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy, crypto executive Changpeng Zhao, former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández (a convicted drug trafficker), and more than 1,000 January 6 Capitol rioters. On Friday, Trump announced six pardons for individuals he falsely described as persecuted by the Biden Administration for “fixing their car,” mischaracterizing violations of the Clean Air Act involving tampering with vehicle emissions monitoring devices.

In November, Trump pardoned a Wyoming diesel mechanic who pleaded guilty to violating environmental law by disabling emissions monitors on commercial trucks. The president’s extensive use of pardons has reportedly generated million-dollar lobbying campaigns directed at Trump and his associates. Former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried is among high-profile figures pursuing a pardon from Trump, according to Justice Department records.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-pardoning-p-diddy-america-250th-july-4-b3008891.html)cutive Sam Bankman-Fried is among high-profile figures pursuing a pardon from Trump, according to Justice Department records.

Trump Bought 327 Stocks Before Announcing Tariff Pause

President Donald Trump purchased 327 stocks on April 8, 2025, including major holdings in Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, just six days after imposing tariffs that sent markets into decline. The timing raises serious questions about potential insider trading, as Trump had direct knowledge of his own policy decisions before publicly announcing them.

On April 9, Trump posted “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” on Truth Social and announced a 90-day pause on tariffs the same day. The tech companies in which he had just purchased shares experienced significant gains following the tariff pause announcement, yielding substantial financial returns for Trump’s portfolio.

Democrats have accused Trump of “corruption” and flagged the apparent conflict of interest inherent in a sitting president executing major stock trades immediately before announcing market-moving policy decisions. A White House spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, but the sequence of events mirrors the pattern of self-dealing that has defined Trump’s business and political career.

The disclosure of 327 stock purchases reveals a president using advance knowledge of his own tariff policy to enrich himself before the market-moving announcement. Such conduct exemplifies how Trump blurs the lines between public office and personal financial gain, prioritizing his portfolio over transparent governance.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-stock-trades-tariffs-financial-disclosures-b3008696.html)

Belgian Diamond Group Gifts Trump Ring After Winning Tariff Relief

A Belgian diamond industry group gifted President Donald Trump a 321-diamond encrusted gold ring valued between $25,000 and $35,000 during an America 250th birthday celebration in Brussels this week. The Antwerp World Diamond Center presented the ring through U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, with the interior engraved “Crafted in Antwerp for Donald John Trump.” The ring features sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and gold forming symbols including the letters “T,” Superman’s logo, and an eagle, along with references to the years 1776, 2026, 45, and 47.

The gift directly followed Belgium’s diamond industry securing removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports worth over $2 billion annually to the United States. In September, the Antwerp World Diamond Center announced it had “succeeded in securing a zero percent import tariff” on polished diamonds after the industry group provided “input” to the European Commission during 2025 tariff negotiations with Trump. The timing connects a tangible financial benefit to the diamond sector with the presentation of an expensive personal gift.

Trump has broken with decades of White House custom by accepting such gifts, according to four U.S. ethics experts consulted by the Associated Press. Unlike previous presidents who declined lavish personal gifts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure revealed multiple high-value gifts including a $250,000 sculpture and $15,000 in World Cup final tickets from FIFA. A White House official stated on condition of anonymity that the ring has not yet been officially presented to Trump, and Ambassador White later deleted a social media post showing him wearing the ring.

U.S. presidents retain broad discretion to accept gifts from foreign and domestic sources, though gifts from foreign governments are prohibited without congressional consent unless the president reimburses the Treasury. Personal gifts must be registered on annual financial disclosures. The diamond industry’s successful tariff elimination combined with presentation of an expensive luxury item valued at $25,000 to $35,000 exemplifies how direct material interests align with ostentatious gift-giving to the president.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/antwerp-belgian-brussels-treasury-kash-patel-b3008523.html)

Trump Considers 250 Pardons for July 4

The Trump White House is considering announcing approximately 250 presidential pardons during Fourth of July weekend celebrations, marketing the initiative as “250 pardons for 250 years” to coincide with America’s semiquincentennial. According to 14 people familiar with internal discussions, the proposal has generated significant debate among Trump’s advisers, with some viewing it as reinforcing an image of “Trump the merciful” while others warn the move could damage the president politically amid low approval ratings and Republican congressional concerns.

The prospect of mass pardons has triggered an intense international lobbying frenzy, with lawyers, lobbyists, and intermediaries charging $1 million to $2 million in fees to facilitate access to the pardon process. Former Trump associates describe the current environment as distinctly different from his first term, with one noting that “everything is now out in the open” rather than attempts to disguise the appearance of selling clemency. Multiple attorneys and officials have expressed alarm, with one criminal defense lawyer calling it “a three-ring circus” and describing the demand for pardon representation as overwhelming in recent weeks.

Among individuals reportedly under consideration for pardons are Malaysian fugitive Jho Low, involved in a multibillion-dollar financial fraud scheme; Pras Michel of the musical group the Fugees, convicted of conspiring with Low on illegal lobbying activities; and Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste, sentenced to nine years for her role in a forced-labor conspiracy. The White House subsequently denied that these individuals are “on the radar of the pardon team,” though multiple sources confirmed discussions about their cases and those of “very rich, well-placed individuals” from India, Greece, Turkey, and France.

The pardon process has been substantially replaced by informal networks of intermediaries rather than the established Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney review, according to people involved in the effort. One prominent white-collar defense attorney stated flatly that “for $2 million, you can have a pardon,” while former Justice Department Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer characterized Trump’s approach as converting the pardon system into a transactional mechanism divorced from traditional legal review. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt countered that the administration maintains a “rigorous review process,” though the accounts from attorneys and former officials contradict this characterization.

Trump’s advisers remain divided on whether the mass pardon announcement would strengthen his political position by consolidating base support ahead of midterms or damage his standing given weak approval ratings and Republican congressional opposition. Although some advocates, including “pardon czar” Alice Johnson, support linking the pardons to themes of freedom and correcting allegedly punitive sentences, Republican members of Congress have expressed concerns that such action could complicate confirmation proceedings for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.



(Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/06/trump-250-pardons-250th-birthday/687736/)

Trump Denies Managing Billion-Dollar Crypto Profits

Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that he plays no active role in his financial dealings, attributing his reported $1 billion windfall to unnamed financial advisers rather than his own deliberate business decisions. Trump stated he does not “get involved” in his personal finances because he has “funds that run my money well,” even as his sons Don Jr. and Eric stood nearby during the remarks to reporters traveling to North Dakota.

Trump’s assertion contradicts his actual financial structure. Unlike presidents who typically place assets in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, Trump never did so and maintains direct control over his business holdings alongside his children. Financial disclosures reveal the Trump family sold a 49% stake in his cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial to a UAE official for $500 million, demonstrating active family involvement in major business transactions.

Trump’s cryptocurrency earnings significantly exceed his traditional real estate income. Financial disclosures document over $1 billion in profits from two cryptocurrency businesses, substantially surpassing revenues from his property portfolio. The UFC will compensate fighters with stablecoins issued by World Liberty Financial, Trump’s cryptocurrency venture co-founded with his sons, illustrating the direct connection between his family’s crypto interests and his presidential actions.

Trump’s cryptocurrency profits are directly tied to his presidential actions and policy decisions. Since taking office, Trump reversed his previous tough stance on cryptocurrency regulation and actively promoted industry-friendly policies after receiving campaign contributions from crypto interests. This pattern demonstrates how Trump has leveraged his presidency to advance financial interests that allegedly operate without his involvement.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-billions-stocks-financial-disclosures-crypto-b3006973.html)

Donald Trump Talks About Giving His Sons the Medal of Honor

President Trump used a speech at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday to talk repeatedly about awarding himself and his sons the Congressional Medal of Honor. Trump referenced the historical father-son pairs of Theodore Roosevelt and General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., and Arthur MacArthur and General Douglas MacArthur, who are among the only recipients of the award, then pivoted to himself. "As I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think, 'I'm going to give one to myself and one to them'. We'll have a threesome. I'll pick out one of the two," Trump stated, adding he would give the medals "for their genius at hunting" and claiming he deserves one "for taking on Russia, Russia, Russia, or something."

Trump acknowledged the routine nature of these comments, admitting "I have thought about this" while claiming to joke frequently on the topic. He also noted the risk of his remarks being misinterpreted, saying "this is dangerous to say because the fake news is up there." Trump has made similar Medal of Honor jokes at least twice within two weeks, including a recent appearance in Montana, establishing a pattern of returning to the idea throughout his second term.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, awarded exclusively for extraordinary heroism in combat. Trump's casual treatment of the award contradicts his stated reverence for it; he has previously struggled publicly with the ceremonial presentation of the medal, fumbling to fasten it around a recipient's neck at a formal Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony.

The remarks reflect Trump's pattern of conflating personal grievance with national honors and blurring the line between jest and actual policy inclination. Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were present during the speech but did not respond publicly to the comments about receiving military decorations neither has earned through military service.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-drops-wild-rant-about-giving-his-sons-medals/)

Trump Flips Out at Gas Companies Over ‘Illegal’ Gouging

President Donald Trump demanded that gasoline retailers immediately slash prices to approximately $2.50 per gallon, accusing them of “totally illegal” price gouging in a Monday Truth Social post. Trump claimed that with crude oil around $68-70 per barrel, significantly lower than the $100+ levels following his Iran war, gas stations were not passing savings to consumers, and warned of “big problems ahead” if retailers did not comply.

The national average gas price stood at $3.86 per gallon as of Monday, down from peaks near $4.50 in recent months. The U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran in February, prompting Iran to effectively block the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil transits; a tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is currently in effect. Trump previously claimed his administration was conducting a “big investigation” into pricing practices by major oil companies including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP.

Last week, Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner stated that a lag exists between crude oil price declines and retail pump prices, with reductions expected as market conditions normalize. Trump has repeatedly downplayed the impact of his military actions on energy costs, telling reporters in May that gas prices represented “peanuts” and assuring the public the situation would not persist long.

Trump’s current demand contradicts his prior messaging and mischaracterizes how energy markets function. By framing market dynamics as criminal behavior and threatening retailers with unspecified consequences, he attempts to leverage presidential power to dictate prices without acknowledging his own foreign policy decisions that disrupted global oil supplies and contributed to price volatility.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-flips-out-at-gas-companies-over-totally-illegal-gouging-drop-your-price/)al oil supplies and contributed to price volatility.

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