Sunday, November 8, 2026 Vol. I · No. 18 · Morning Edition Print size
Election 2026 477 of 506 races called See the results → The GOP Files Receipts on the Republican-run Washington · Sourced · Dated · On the record On Instagram 2.1M plays and counting @thegopfiles →
The Wire
Democrats flip NC House and near Arizona sweep; costs lead their first-move lists On tape: Raphael Warnock tells Jake Tapper on CNN he'll run for "high office" in 2028, but 2026 comes first ICE unlikely to ease crackdown after midterm losses, officials say, citing Stephen Miller On tape: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey takes a victory lap: Democrats took back the House and Senate, she says Georgia probes missed memory card that flipped a House seat, trimming Democrats' lead On tape: Governor-Elect Amy Acton wins Ohio governor's race: "Kindness isn't weakness" Harwood voters reject data center reviews; 40 of 41 local votes elsewhere back limits Trump's Medicare agency makes permanent the drug price talks no Republican voted for On tape: Scott Colom says he's confident he'll win Mississippi's U.S. Senate race, the morning after election night Democratic governors-elect in Texas, Iowa and Georgia face GOP lawmakers on schools Democrats flip NC House and near Arizona sweep; costs lead their first-move lists On tape: Raphael Warnock tells Jake Tapper on CNN he'll run for "high office" in 2028, but 2026 comes first ICE unlikely to ease crackdown after midterm losses, officials say, citing Stephen Miller On tape: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey takes a victory lap: Democrats took back the House and Senate, she says Georgia probes missed memory card that flipped a House seat, trimming Democrats' lead On tape: Governor-Elect Amy Acton wins Ohio governor's race: "Kindness isn't weakness" Harwood voters reject data center reviews; 40 of 41 local votes elsewhere back limits Trump's Medicare agency makes permanent the drug price talks no Republican voted for On tape: Scott Colom says he's confident he'll win Mississippi's U.S. Senate race, the morning after election night Democratic governors-elect in Texas, Iowa and Georgia face GOP lawmakers on schools

The Grift Files · Chapter 2: Foreign money · Updated Nov. 8, 2026

Foreign money and the Trump family: the Qatari jet, the Gulf deals and the emoluments clause

A $400 million jet from Qatar, golf resorts and towers licensed in the Gulf and Asia while the President sets policy toward those governments, a son-in-law's fund built on sovereign money, and the Constitution's clause about gifts from foreign states.

33
dated entries
13
milestones
23
records to read yourself

Chapter 2 of 5

The timeline

33 dated entries, oldest first. Each says what happened, who gained, how much, and the response on the record, with its source.

  1. Trump Organization ethics plan drops the first-term ban on new foreign deals

    The family

    The Trump Organization released a voluntary five-page ethics white paper that bars deals made directly with foreign governments but allows new deals with private companies abroad. In 2017 the company had promised no new foreign deals of any kind. The plan says Trump will not take part in day-to-day decisions, names William A. Burck of Quinn Emanuel as outside ethics adviser, and promises to give the U.S. Treasury any profits from foreign-government spending at its properties.

    The response: Eric Trump said the company is "dedicated to not just meeting but vastly exceeding its legal and ethical obligations" during his father's presidency (AP, Jan. 10, 2025).

    Source: Associated Press (via News4Jax)

  2. Indonesia halts a Trump-branded resort over environmental problems; golf club opens anyway

    The family

    Indonesia's Environment Ministry ordered PT MNC Land, the Trump Organization's partner at the Lido resort south of Jakarta, to halt development over water management and environmental issues. About a month later, on March 7, 2025, MNC Land launched Trump International Golf Club Lido, a 7,200-yard course operated by Trump Golf. MNC Group's chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo said the collaboration with Trump Golf set "a new standard for luxury and exclusivity in Indonesia."

    The response: MNC Land's president director denied the project caused sedimentation in Lido Lake, pointing to other projects in the area (Jakarta Post).

    Source: The Jakarta Post

  3. Trump announces a $5 million 'gold card' residency visa for wealthy foreigners

    $5MThe President

    In the Oval Office, Trump said wealthy foreigners would be able to buy permanent residency for $5 million, calling it "a route to citizenship." Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick named it the "Trump Gold Card" and said it would effectively replace the EB-5 investor visa. The card carries the sitting President's name and is marketed by his administration.

    The response: Trump said the proceeds could help pay down the deficit; Lutnick said EB-5 was "full of nonsense, make-believe and fraud" and gold card applicants would be vetted (NPR).

    Source: NPR (via GPB)

  4. CREW counts 23 Trump-branded foreign projects planned during the presidency

    The family

    Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington published a tracker listing 23 Trump-branded real estate projects in 10 countries (Oman, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, India, UAE, Vietnam, Qatar, Romania, Maldives, Georgia), more than tripling the number of Trump properties abroad. Most are licensing deals in which the Trump name is rented for a fee. CREW noted the Oman project sits on government-owned land with a government tourism agency as partner.

    Source: CREW

  5. Trump golf club in Qatar signed with Qatari Diar, a company set up by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund

    $5.3MThe family

    Two weeks before Trump's state visit to Doha, Qatari Diar signed an agreement with Saudi developer Dar Global to build Trump International Golf Club, Doha and Trump-branded villas on 790,000 square meters of the Simaisma coastal project. Qatari Diar was established by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund and is chaired by the country's Minister of Municipality, Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah. The Trump Organization's own ethics plan bars deals directly with foreign governments; here the contract runs through Dar Global, and Trump later reported a $5.25 million licensing fee from the project.

    The response: Eric Trump: "We are incredibly proud to expand the Trump brand into Qatar through this exceptional collaboration with Dar Global" (Trump Organization release). The Trump Organization told CNBC it "operates completely separate from the presidency" and uses an outside ethics adviser.

    Source: Trump Organization, Qatar News Agency, CNBC

  6. Trump defends taking a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from Qatar: only 'stupid' people refuse gifts

    $400MThe President

    Leaving for the Middle East, Trump called Qatar's offer of a luxury Boeing 747-8, valued at about $400 million, "a great gesture" and said only a "stupid" person would turn it down. He said the plane would go to the Defense Department, not to him, and that after military use it would be turned over to his presidential library. Democrats and watchdogs said the gift would violate the Constitution's ban on presents from foreign states; Qatari officials said the arrangement was not finalized.

    The response: Trump: "I think it's a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much." He told an ABC reporter, "You should be embarrassed asking that question," and said the plane goes to the Defense Department, not to him (New York Times via Boston Globe).

    Source: New York Times (via Boston Globe)

  7. Gulf trip ends with trillions in pledges from countries where the Trump family does business

    The President

    Trump's first major foreign trip went to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE from May 13 to 16, 2025. Governments announced $600 billion (Saudi Arabia) and $1.2 trillion (Qatar) in investment pledges plus arms, AI-chip and data-center deals; observers said the real figures may be far lower. In the weeks before the trip the Trump Organization had announced a Qatar golf club and a Dubai tower, and the family's World Liberty Financial had taken a $2 billion stablecoin deal from an Abu Dhabi state fund.

    The response: A White House spokesperson told CNBC in 2026 that "the only special interest guiding" Trump's decisions is "the best interest of the American people," pointing to more than $2 trillion in commitments from the trip.

    Source: Khaleej Times, CNBC

  8. Eric Trump and Vietnam's prime minister break ground on a $1.5 billion Trump golf resort during tariff talks

    $1.5BThe family

    Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined Eric Trump in Hung Yen province to break ground on a $1.5 billion golf and residential project with local partner Kinhbac City, approved by Vietnamese authorities the week before. At the time Vietnam faced a threatened 46% U.S. tariff and its negotiators were in Washington offering concessions. Chinh said Eric Trump's visit "motivated us to expedite this project"; Trump later reported a $5 million licensing fee from it.

    The response: Eric Trump said the project would be "the envy of all of Asia and of the entire world." CNBC later reported it found no evidence the project influenced the tariff talks; the Vietnamese government did not answer questions.

    Source: NBC News, Reuters (via Hotel-Online), Trump Organization

  9. Pentagon accepts the Qatari jet; experts warn of a $1 billion-plus retrofit bill for taxpayers

    $1BThe public

    The Pentagon accepted the Qatari 747-8 on May 21, 2025 and said it would retrofit it as Air Force One. Current and former Pentagon officials told the New York Times the security work would cost at least $1 billion, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth said taxpayers would "waste over a billion dollars" when two working Air Force One jets already exist. A Washington Post-reported Air Force inspection found the plane poorly maintained and possibly needing $1.5 billion of work.

    The response: A White House spokesperson: "It has been stated time and time and time and time again this was donated" to the Air Force (Fortune).

    Source: Fortune, Air & Space Forces Magazine

  10. Air Force secretary tells Congress the jet retrofit will 'probably' cost under $400 million

    $400MThe public

    Air Force Secretary Troy Meink testified to the House Armed Services Committee that "the actual retrofit of that aircraft is actually probably less than $400 million," while declining to give details because the systems are classified. Democrats put the figure near $1 billion; Meink said much of that was spending the Air Force would do anyway. On June 27 Defense One reported the Air Force was paying for the work with money taken from the over-budget Sentinel nuclear missile program.

    The response: Meink said the Air Force had been asked to modify the aircraft as soon as it took possession and that Sentinel "resources are there" (Defense One).

    Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine, Defense One

  11. Hegseth signs memo calling the jet an 'unconditional donation' to the Pentagon

    $400 million jetThe President

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar's defense minister signed a memorandum of understanding on July 7, 2025 describing the plane as a "bona fide gift" and "unconditional donation" to the Defense Department, with the U.S. paying Qatar nothing. The memo states the gift is "not connected or otherwise related to any governmental decision." Air Force officials had initially expected a sale, not a donation; Hegseth confirmed at a June Senate hearing that ownership will pass to Trump's presidential library foundation after he leaves office.

    The response: The MOU itself: "Nothing in this MoU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as, an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice" (CNN).

    Source: CNN

  12. Justice Department refuses to release Bondi memo blessing the jet; press group sues

    $934MThe President

    The Freedom of the Press Foundation sued the Justice Department after it refused to release a May 2025 memo, reportedly signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, concluding the jet gift was "legally permissible." DOJ said the document would not be available until January 25, 2027 because of a 620-day average processing time. Bondi had previously lobbied for the Qatari government. On August 8, Democracy Defenders Fund asked the Pentagon inspector general and GAO to examine the acceptance and the reported shift of $934 million from a missile program to pay for the retrofit.

    The response: A Justice Department spokesperson blamed the delay on a "historic increase" in FOIA requests and said the agency is working "as quickly and efficiently as possible" (Courthouse News). The Pentagon inspector general declined to comment (CBS).

    Source: Courthouse News Service, Freedom of the Press Foundation, CBS News

  13. Second Jeddah project: a $1 billion Trump Plaza with Saudi developer Dar Global

    $1 billion project valueThe family

    Dar Global, the London-listed arm of Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, announced a roughly $1 billion mixed-use Trump Plaza in Jeddah, following the Trump Tower Jeddah announced in 2024. Dar Global is also building a Trump hotel and villas in Oman and towers in Dubai. The company formally launched Trump Plaza Jeddah on January 12, 2026, calling it its third Saudi collaboration with the Trump Organization.

    The response: Eric Trump said the project "embodies our vision of excellence by blending world-class hospitality, modern living" (The New Arab).

    Source: The New Arab, PR Newswire (Dar Global release)

  14. Trump Organization and Dar Global announce a 'tokenized' Trump hotel in the Maldives

    The family

    Dar Global and the Trump Organization announced Trump International Hotel Maldives, about 80 beach and overwater villas due to open by the end of 2028. The partners billed it as the world's first tokenized hotel development, letting investors buy digital tokens in the project while it is being built. No project value was disclosed.

    The response: Eric Trump said the company was pleased to bring the Trump brand to the Maldives and that the project aims to set a new standard through tokenization (Dar Global release).

    Source: PR Newswire (Dar Global release)

  15. 'Trump Gold Card' visa goes on sale at Trumpcard.gov for $1 million plus a $15,000 fee

    $1MThe President

    The administration launched the Trump Gold Card at Trumpcard.gov. Applicants pay a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security, and after vetting a $1 million "gift" to the U.S. government; companies can pay $2 million per employee. The site also takes a waiting list for a $5 million "Trump Platinum Card." Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said about 10,000 people had pre-registered.

    The response: Trump: "Basically it's a Green Card, but much better." Lutnick predicted thousands of cards and billions of dollars for the Treasury (Reuters).

    Source: Reuters (via Yahoo News), Trumpcard.gov (U.S. government)

  16. Trump golf resort and hotel in Riyadh's Wadi Safar, inside a Saudi crown-prince-backed development

    The family

    Dar Al Arkan, Dar Global and the Trump Organization unveiled Trump International, Wadi Safar, a 2.6 million square meter gated community with a Trump golf course, Trump hotel and residences inside the Diriyah masterplan near Riyadh. Diriyah is developed by Diriyah Company, a Saudi state project. The next day Dar Global formally launched the $1 billion Trump Plaza Jeddah, its third Saudi deal with the Trump family company.

    The response: Eric Trump: "We are proud to expand our presence with this landmark development in Wadi Safar" (Trump Organization release).

    Source: Trump Organization, PR Newswire (Dar Global release)

  17. House Oversight Democrats: foreign money now flows to Trump through crypto, not hotel rooms

    The President

    On the first anniversary of the inauguration, Democratic staff of the House Oversight Committee released a 30-page interim report, "Professionalized Corruption," arguing that in the first term foreign governments paid Trump through hotel stays and condos, and in the second term the family's digital-currency ventures let foreign interests pay in the billions with no practical limit. It builds on the committee's 2024 finding of at least $7.8 million in foreign-government payments to Trump businesses during the first term.

    Source: House Oversight Committee Democrats

  18. CREW projects Trump's second-term foreign property income will top $400 million

    $400MThe President

    Analyzing Trump's financial disclosures from 2015 to 2025, CREW found his 2024 foreign income was at least $101 million, more than double 2023, with over $26 million in licensing fees from Dar Global's Dubai and Muscat projects and a new $10 million fee from an unannounced Mumbai project. CREW counted 10 open overseas developments and at least 22 more in development, and estimated second-term foreign property income of more than $400 million if 2024 levels hold.

    Source: CREW

  19. Australia's tallest tower will carry the Trump name; deal signed at Mar-a-Lago

    $1.06BThe family

    Altus Property Group said it signed a final agreement on February 14, 2026 at Mar-a-Lago for a 91-story Trump International Hotel & Tower on Queensland's Gold Coast, a 1.5 billion Australian dollar (about US$1.06 billion) project with a hotel, 270 apartments and a beach club. It is the Trump Organization's first Australian project and was signed at the President's private club.

    Source: NBC News

  20. Garcia and Wyden: Kushner is raising $5 billion more from Gulf governments while negotiating for the U.S.

    $4.8BThe family

    Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Ron Wyden wrote to Affinity Partners that Jared Kushner was seeking at least $5 billion in new foreign capital while leading U.S. negotiations in the Middle East. Citing SEC filings, they said Affinity's foreign-sourced assets rose from about $3 billion (including $2 billion from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund) at the start of 2024 to $4.8 billion by the end of 2024, and that the firm has taken about $157 million in fees from foreign clients, including $87 million directly from the Saudi government.

    The response: The letter notes Republican Sen. Thom Tillis's concern that Kushner and Witkoff are "not subject to Senate confirmation, and they're not subject to oversight." Kushner's attorney has said his business and diplomacy are unconnected (CNN, Oct. 2026).

    Source: House Oversight Committee Democrats / Senate Finance Committee

  21. Raskin: Kushner's Affinity holds $6.16 billion, 99% from foreign investors, as he serves as 'Special Envoy for Peace'

    $6.16BThe family

    House Judiciary ranking member Jamie Raskin wrote to Kushner that recent filings show Affinity raised an additional $1.2 billion in the past year, bringing assets to roughly $6.16 billion, of which about $6.10 billion (99%) is attributable to foreign nationals. Raskin said Kushner had promised in December 2024 to avoid conflicts and not raise capital during his father-in-law's term, then broke both promises. He asked whom Kushner represents when negotiating with Saudi Arabia and Iran.

    The response: White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly: "Jared Kushner's personal business activities have nothing to do with his diplomatic engagements, which he conducts on a volunteer basis at the President's request" (CNN, Oct. 1, 2026).

    Source: House Judiciary Committee Democrats

  22. Trump Tower Tbilisi: Georgia's sanctioned-oligarch land and a government seeking Trump's favor

    $2BThe family

    The Trump Organization announced a 70-story Trump Tower in Tbilisi with four Georgian firms and the New York-based Sapir Organization. One partner's founder is a former MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and the land was bought for up to $85 million from a foundation controlled by the family of Bidzina Ivanishvili, whom the U.S. Treasury sanctioned in 2024 for undermining Georgia's democracy for Russia's benefit. Georgian Dream leaders have promoted the project as a vote of confidence while facing possible U.S. and EU sanctions.

    The response: Eric Trump told The Real Deal the tower "has nothing to do with the influence of a government or the influence of my father." Archi Group's Ilia Tsulaia: "We have never talked about politics."

    Source: Eurasianet, The Real Deal

  23. Gold card reality check: 338 applications and one approval, against promises of trillions

    The President

    A court filing by Trump officials showed 338 people had applied for the $1 million Trump Gold Card and 59 had advanced to Homeland Security vetting. Lutnick said the prior week that only one person had been approved, with "hundreds in the queue." Before the price was cut from $5 million, Lutnick had projected 200,000 cards could raise $1 trillion for the Treasury.

    The response: Trump: "I happen to think it's going to sell like crazy. It's a bargain" (The Telegraph).

    Source: The Telegraph (via Yahoo News)

  24. Democrats introduce bill to write the emoluments bans into law, citing the Qatari jet

    The public

    Reps. Jamie Raskin, Robert Garcia and Joseph Morelle introduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act, with Sen. Adam Schiff sponsoring a Senate companion. The bill would codify the Constitution's foreign and domestic emoluments bans and bar a president from taking payments from pardon recipients or appointees through a presidentially owned business. The sponsors cited Trump's acceptance of the $400 million Qatari jet, reportedly to be transferred to him after his presidency.

    The response: Garcia: "no president can run a pay-to-play scheme from the Oval Office." No White House response is recorded in the release.

    Source: Rep. Jamie Raskin (official site)

  25. Trump unveils the Qatari 747 as the new Air Force One: 'the world's most luxurious plane'

    $400MThe President

    At Joint Base Andrews, Trump showed off the retrofitted Qatari Boeing 747-8 in a new red, white and navy paint scheme. The Air Force said the retrofit would cost "probably less than $400 million"; taxpayers also paid for a 747-8 lease, a used Lufthansa 747-8 for training and a full interior mock-up, with no figures released. The plane was to lead a July 4 flyover for the nation's 250th birthday.

    The response: Trump: "This is considered the world's most luxurious plane." In 2025 he posted, "Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country" (CBS News).

    Source: CBS News, CNN

  26. Trump's first flight on the Qatari jet; he says it will go to his presidential library

    $400MThe President

    Trump flew the retrofitted Qatari 747 from Joint Base Andrews to North Dakota, calling it "maybe the greatest commercial plane ever built." The Air Force said it spent less than $400 million on security upgrades and made little change to the plush cabin; the plane is a bridge until Boeing delivers new Air Force One jets around 2028. Trump repeated that the aircraft will eventually go to his presidential library, and declined to say what taxpayers paid.

    The response: Trump: "This is a gift from a country that has treated us very well." "You can do two things: You can low-key it, or you can show it" (CNBC/NPR). The Air Force said the plane is "safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies" (NPR).

    Source: CNBC, NPR

  27. Trump's 2026 disclosure: nearly $60 million from foreign licensing, $77.5 million from Mar-a-Lago

    $60MThe President

    Trump's annual financial disclosure, released by the Office of Government Ethics, reported nearly $60 million in income from foreign real estate firms licensing the Trump name, $77.5 million from Mar-a-Lago (up more than 50% in a year) and $122 million from Doral. CNN reported Trump has used the Florida clubs to fete foreign dignitaries and host fundraisers since retaking office, and that Mar-a-Lago's initiation fee was raised to $1 million in 2024.

    The response: White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly: "neither the President nor his family has ever engaged - or will ever engage - in conflicts of interest." Trump: "You know why I'm profiting? Because the stock market's going up. Everybody's profiting... I never speak to any of the people that run the money" (CNN).

    Source: CNN

  28. CNBC: foreign licensing income hit $59.5 million in 2025, two-thirds from the Gulf

    $59.5MThe President

    CNBC's analysis of Trump's disclosure found foreign real estate licensing income of $59.5 million for 2025, up 71% from 2024 and nearly ten times 2023. Saudi-linked Dar Al Arkan and its Dar Global arm paid $25.8 million and Dubai's Damac $11.3 million, including $5 million fees for Abu Dhabi projects with no active development. Payments traced to state-linked partners include $5.25 million from the Qatari Diar golf project and nearly $1 million from Oman's Aida project with Omran, the Omani government's tourism arm.

    The response: The Trump Organization said it operates "completely separate from the presidency" and uses an outside ethics adviser. Trump told the New York Times in January 2026: "I found out that nobody cared. I'm allowed to." CNBC said it found no evidence any payment influenced an administration decision.

    Source: CNBC

  29. At least 19 Trump projects abroad, 12 announced since the 2024 election

    $61MThe family

    MS NOW counted at least 19 Trump-branded golf courses, hotels, towers and resorts under development or pending abroad, at least 12 announced since the election, in Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the Maldives, India, Romania, Georgia, Vietnam and South Korea. It reported Trump has received almost $10 million in fees from Oman's roughly $500 million Aida project since 2022 and that licensing deals with Dar Al Arkan and Dar Global alone total at least $61 million since 2021.

    The response: A White House official referred questions to the Trump Organization: "This has nothing to do with the White House." The Trump Organization said it "operates completely separate from the presidency" (MS NOW).

    Source: MS NOW, The National

  30. CNN: Kushner's firm is top shareholder in an Israeli company funding arms makers while he brokers Gaza talks

    $340MThe family

    CNN found that Affinity Partners, owned solely by Jared Kushner, is the largest shareholder of Phoenix Financial, an Israeli firm with more than $456 million invested in nine companies supplying Israel's military, including $265.1 million in arms maker Elbit Systems. Affinity doubled its Phoenix stake five days before Trump's inauguration; in July 2026 it sold a quarter of the stake for more than $340 million, five times its cost, and still holds a 7.4% stake worth over $1 billion. Kushner acts as an unpaid envoy and so files no financial disclosure.

    The response: Kushner's attorney said he "never participated in or directed Phoenix's decisions" and that any suggestion his diplomacy influenced Phoenix's investments "or vice versa, is incorrect." White House's Anna Kelly called the concerns a "tired narrative" (CNN).

    Source: CNN

  31. House Oversight Democrats demand Kushner's Middle East investment records by October 19

    $456MThe family

    Ranking member Robert Garcia wrote to Kushner at Affinity Partners seeking a full list of the firm's Middle East investments since January 20, 2025, including any that depended on U.S. government approvals or diplomatic support. The letter says Kushner has raised billions from Saudi, Emirati and Qatari governments while acting as Trump's Gaza negotiator, and notes he is exempt from financial disclosure. CNN reported the letter signals wider investigations if Democrats retake the House.

    The response: An attorney for Kushner dismissed Garcia's criticisms and pointed to the congressman's own holdings in investments scrutinized in CNN's report (CNN, Oct. 6, 2026).

    Source: House Oversight Committee Democrats, CNN

  32. First emoluments lawsuit of the second term: $2.5 billion in UAE crypto money

    $2.5BThe President

    A Circle Internet Group shareholder sued Trump, World Liberty Financial, envoy Steve Witkoff and four Trump LLCs in federal court in Washington (Case 1:26-cv-03686). The complaint says a UAE-linked entity bought 49% of World Liberty for $500 million days before the inauguration and an Abu Dhabi state fund bought $2 billion of the Trump stablecoin, both "illegal foreign emoluments" that flowed millions to Trump. It asks the court to declare the profits unconstitutional and order them returned.

    The response: World Liberty counsel Bill Burck called the suit "more like a partisan press release than a lawsuit"; White House spokesperson Anna Kelly called it "yet another frivolous lawsuit" and said there are no conflicts of interest (CNBC).

    Source: CNBC, U.S. District Court for D.C. (complaint, via CNBC)

  33. Tbilisi tower partners finish paying the sanctioned Ivanishvili family; Eric Trump says no politics involved

    $85MThe family

    The Real Deal reported the Tbilisi project's Georgian developers completed payments of up to $85 million for land bought from a foundation controlled by the family of U.S.-sanctioned former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili by July 2026, and that developer Ilia Tsulaia had lobbied in Washington for better Georgian-U.S. ties. The tower would anchor a $2 billion mega-development. It is the latest of about two dozen foreign Trump-branded projects launched since the election.

    The response: Eric Trump: Trump Tower Tbilisi "has nothing to do with the influence of a government or the influence of my father."

    Source: The Real Deal

Exhibit C

The receipts

23 records you can open and read yourself: financial disclosures, securities filings, court dockets, budget-office estimates, Treasury figures and congressional reports. Every link goes to the official copy or the original report.

Foreign money: the deals and the clause23 records

The Justice Department's memo on the jet, the Trump Organization's own announcements, the Senate reports and the Constitution.

Named in this chapter

The people

The whole Grift File: the ledger, all five chapters and the roster →

Evidence
Room
Watch on YouTube