Letter to the editor: Trump's billions

President Donald Trump has always enjoyed living high off the hog, but not necessarily with his own money. History shows he is a notorious cheapskate when it comes to paying his illegal immigrant workers, his lawyers and his subcontractors. Looking at Trump’s finances, it is difficult to determine who pays for what.

In January 2025, Bloomberg estimated Trump’s wealth at just over $7 billion. The New Yorker estimated that Trump has gained $3.4 billion since January, mainly through business deals with Persian Gulf countries, Trump Media and Trump merchandise. His venture into cryptocurrency (said to be used mainly by criminal enterprises) is his biggest money maker, leading Axios to estimate that Trump is temporarily worth $58 billion, making him the 25th richest person in the world. It is difficult to determine Trump’s actual wealth because cryptocurrency is secretive and volatile.

It is also impossible to determine how much of his increase in wealth came from the American taxpayer, the fact that he is president or from his business dealings, temporarily in the hands of his sons (a violation of the Emoluments Clause because it can enable corruption). We do know that the Trump family has taken over 1,500 trips annually for business and/or pleasure, often at Trump properties, and that each trip can cost the American taxpayer from an estimated $3 million to $19 million.

The grift is staggering.

Joanne Garing

North Huntingdon