Public records filed by US President Donald Trump with the Office of Government Ethics reveal his active stock trading in June, a period marked by conflict with Iran, CNN reported on 28/8.
During this period, Trump executed over 1,000 transactions, buying and selling energy corporation stocks valued at thousands of USD. For instance, he sold Exxon Mobil shares twice, each transaction ranging from 1,001 USD to 15,000 USD, then repurchased Exxon shares in a similar price bracket.
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 27/8. Photo: AP |
He also traded Chevron shares on three occasions. Trump had previously lauded Chevron as the only major US oil and gas corporation operating in Venezuela before his administration's raid on Caracas earlier this year. Other energy transactions included three sales of ConocoPhillips shares, a sale of Valero Energy stock, and a purchase of Occidental Petroleum stakes.
The Iran conflict caused significant volatility in US oil and gas corporation stocks. Prices could fluctuate dramatically following a single post by the US President on Truth Social regarding the conflict.
Beyond energy, Trump also traded shares of US defense contractors during ongoing negotiations with Iran. He reported multiple transactions involving Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and RTX between 12/6 and 24/6, with some lots sold just one day after purchase.
The White House denied Trump's influence over his investment accounts, stating his portfolio "is independently managed by third-party financial institutions". White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said, "Neither President Trump nor any family member has the ability to direct, influence, or offer opinions on how the asset portfolio is invested, or on the timing of investment purchases or sales," affirming "there is no conflict of interest".
Despite these assurances, the scale and frequency of Trump's transactions during his tenure drew sharp criticism from Democrats and watchdog organizations. They pointed to a surge in his personal wealth during the first half of his second term.
In addition to thousands of stock transactions year-to-date, previous public reports indicate Trump earned billions of USD in 2025 through cryptocurrency holdings, royalties, and real estate investments. This figure far exceeds earnings of previous US presidents during their terms; many minimized personal investments to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
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Security boats patrol around Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in 11/2024. Photo: AFP |
According to his annual financial disclosure filed with the US Office of Government Ethics, published on 30/6, President Trump's income last year soared to over 2.2 billion USD. This significantly surpasses his first term's income, which also increased but on a much smaller scale. Trump stated on 1/7 that favorable financial market conditions caused his income surge.
US media suggests the actual value of the White House occupant's assets is likely higher. Federal disclosure forms only require reporting within value ranges, with the highest category "over 50 million USD", thus not fully reflecting his true wealth.
Ngoc Anh (According to CNN, AFP)
