In this post, I want to look at how Christians damage the credibility of the gospel when we highlight failures of character and integrity in our opponents while finding ways to excuse it in our allies.[i]
Throughout this series, I have been returning to the same claim concerning the conservative evangelicalism in which I was raised: I didn't move; you did. When I look at the things that increasingly separate me from American evangelicalism, I keep finding that it's because of the values evangelicalism itself taught me.
For example, I remember being raised amidst the conservative evangelical insistence that character and integrity mattered in private and public life. This wasn’t reduced to merely our sex lives. Greed was spiritually and societally dangerous. Dishonesty and hypocrisy eventually corrupt everything they touch. Having power or being popular did not excuse immorality but made character even more important, because the consequences impacted so many more people.
The statements and declarations I have been revisiting throughout this series are remarkably consistent in warning about greed, corruption, selfish ambition, dishonesty, covetousness, the seduction of wealth, and the danger of Christians becoming too comfortable with the rich and powerful. They insist that Christian proclamation must be accompanied by Christian character unmarred by greed and corruption, because otherwise our testimony loses its credibility.[1]
Scripture repeatedly condemns dishonest scales, an image I think will be helpful for this post. For example:
There is something profoundly unjust about having one measure for one person and another measure for someone else. It’s not just about weighing grain; it’s about measuring a fair, righteous and consistent judgment on all attitudes, words and actions.
What happens to our Christian witness when the standards we once proclaimed loudly become negotiable when applying them consistently would cost us political power?
I see a relevance here not just for individual witness (which is really important), but to corporate witness as well. To whom or what have we hitched our moral wagons? And at what cost? And is it a consistent, steady scales or a compromised, sliding one that a watching world sees the people of God using?
* * * * *
A balanced, honest scales begins with the assumption that I am subject to the same rules as everyone else. The current administration has consistently functioned as if laws were an inconvenience to be ignored, not guidelines to be embraced for an orderly and just society. This isn’t just me having an opinion: Trump said it himself.
In defense of his refusal to acknowledge court rulings that stopped his federal funding freeze, he shared a quote from a 1970 film about Napoleon Bonaparte both on Truth Social and X not once, but twice: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” [iii] And indeed, Trump continues to refuse to back down in defiance of judicial rulings, as if rules that apply to others do not apply to him. [iv]
The statements and declarations I have been revisiting throughout this series are remarkably consistent in warning about greed, corruption, selfish ambition, dishonesty, covetousness, the seduction of wealth, and the danger of Christians becoming too comfortable with the rich and powerful. They insist that Christian proclamation must be accompanied by Christian character unmarred by greed and corruption, because otherwise our testimony loses its credibility.[1]
“When there is no distinction in conduct between Christians and non-Christians – for example in the practice of corruption and greed…then the world is right to wonder if our Christianity makes any difference at all. Our message carries no authenticity to a watching world…”
“The proclamation of God’s kingdom necessarily demands the prophetic denunciation of all that is incompatible with it. Among the evils we deplore are destructive violence, including institutionalized violence, political corruption, all forms of exploitation of people and of the earth…”
“Our challenge to others to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Christ will be plausible only if we ourselves have evidently died to selfish ambition, dishonesty, and covetousness, and are living a life of simplicity, contentment, and generosity.
“We are called, as those who serve God and not mammon, to recognize that greed perpetuates poverty, and to renounce it."
Scripture repeatedly condemns dishonest scales, an image I think will be helpful for this post. For example:
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Proverbs 11:1-3)[ii]
There is something profoundly unjust about having one measure for one person and another measure for someone else. It’s not just about weighing grain; it’s about measuring a fair, righteous and consistent judgment on all attitudes, words and actions.
What happens to our Christian witness when the standards we once proclaimed loudly become negotiable when applying them consistently would cost us political power?
I see a relevance here not just for individual witness (which is really important), but to corporate witness as well. To whom or what have we hitched our moral wagons? And at what cost? And is it a consistent, steady scales or a compromised, sliding one that a watching world sees the people of God using?
* * * * *
A balanced, honest scales begins with the assumption that I am subject to the same rules as everyone else. The current administration has consistently functioned as if laws were an inconvenience to be ignored, not guidelines to be embraced for an orderly and just society. This isn’t just me having an opinion: Trump said it himself.
In defense of his refusal to acknowledge court rulings that stopped his federal funding freeze, he shared a quote from a 1970 film about Napoleon Bonaparte both on Truth Social and X not once, but twice: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” [iii] And indeed, Trump continues to refuse to back down in defiance of judicial rulings, as if rules that apply to others do not apply to him. [iv]
- Since February 2025, district court judges have ruled that his administration violated orders in at least 31 lawsuits over a wide range of issues, including cuts in federal funding, mass layoffs, deportations, and immigration practices. These violations are in addition to more than 250 instances of noncompliance that judges have recently highlighted in individual immigration petitions — from failing to return property to keeping immigrants locked up past court-ordered release dates.[v]
- Federal courts across the country are sounding an alarm: "Dozens of federal judges appointed by presidents of both parties — including several of President Donald Trump’s appointees — have accused the Trump administration of acting unlawfully, disregarding constitutional limits, retaliating against political opponents and, in some cases, openly defying court orders.
Unfortunately, the questions about respect for legal restraint don't end with the courts. They extend into Trump’s business and financial dealings, including recent concerns involving money laundering [vi] and potential conflicts surrounding his investments. [vii]
The conservative Wall Street Journal Editorial Board had some things to say about this.
* * * * *
In August of 2026, while J.D. Vance was promoting a federal anti-fraud task force (which he leads) cracking down on misuse within public benefit programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, he said,
I appreciate the sentiments expressed in regards to justice. Let’s see if the scales of justice are measuring a fair, righteous and consistent judgment on all attitudes, words and actions of people irregardless of their class, wealth, or party affiliation.
Even while Vance is sending an important message about fraud, Trump has granted clemency or pardon to numerous figures in major health care fraud cases.[ix] For example:
This is happening with an administration that is increasingly deprioritizing or ignoring high dollar, white collar crime. The division of the Justice Department, which focuses on bringing cases against public officials accused of breaking the law (the Public Integrity Section), has shrunk in both size and influence during the Trump administration. Meanwhile, the FBI's Washington Field Office is shutting down a public corruption squad that focused on federal corruption.
I understand why Christians disagree about the details of taxes, regulation, immigration, foreign policy, health care, the proper use of the military, etc. Even when we share the same foundational beliefs about the value of all human life and the need for love to order our pursuit of both justice and mercy, faithful Christians reach different conclusions about how the scales of justice remains righteously balanced.
But agreeing about the rejection of corruption should be easier. Condemning bribery ought not be morally complicated. Standing united against the willful ignoring of lawful restraints should be an easy line to draw.
Refusing to have one standard of justice for ordinary people and another for the wealthy, powerful, politically connected, or useful should be especially easy for people formed by the prophets of Israel and the teachings of Jesus.
I was mentored by strong evangelical voices to reject greed, corruption, hypocrisy, and the love of money. I remember hearing that our public behavior in reference to these issues - our voices, our actions, our votes - either strengthened or damaged the credibility of our witness to Jesus.
An account in President Trump’s name purchased between $1 million and $5 million in Axon Enterprise stock on February 10, 2026. Two weeks later, on February 24, 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted a notice seeking a five-year, $220 million Taser contract that policing and procurement experts noted appeared tailored to Axon's products.
Trump filed a March 4th purchase of stock in Corcept Therapeutics. On March 25th, the FDA approved Corcept's drug Lifyorli, which caused its price to rise significantly.
- In 2024, Trump asked oil executives to give 1 billion to his campaign while promising to deliver on their policy wish list. Meanwhile, in the second quarter of 2026 – in the middle of a war that is deeply impacting the global price of oil – Chevron posted $12 billion in quarterly profit, up %400 from last year. Exxon made over $14 billion. This, in addition to all of the renewable energy projects that the government is ending while pushing energy creation toward coal and oil.
- On July 29, 2026 Axios reported that Elon Musk is reviving his political action committee, America PAC, with a "huge investment" to drive Republican voter turnout in November's midterm elections. Musk got some good news from the U.S. Space Force on the same day as the revival of America PAC. His company, SpaceX, had just landed a $1.6 billion government contract to launch 18 rockets.
“A Trump company has been awarded a $63 billion development opportunity in Saudi Arabia, and that award happened around the same time that the Trump administration was negotiating with the Saudis in a deal that allows the country to enrich nuclear energy for civilian purposes. The company that awarded the development agreement is also linked to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin-Salman, who has also invested in Jared Kushner's $2 billion hedge fund during the first Trump administration….Trump gets to keep 80% ownership in the development deal himself, while his family gets the remaining 20%.”[viii] (“'It's stunning!' CNN's Erin Burnett floored as Trump 'raking it in' with Saudi deal.”)
The conservative Wall Street Journal Editorial Board had some things to say about this.
“The Trumps are seeing their opportunities and taking them, in the tradition of what Tammany Hall’s George Washington Plunkitt called ‘honest graft.’ Assuming all of this is legal, it’s still an unseemly display of using the Presidency for family profit.
If Democrats take back the House or Senate this November, they will have a field day probing the Trump family deals. Charges of GOP corruption will resound through 2028. This will feed the left’s class warfare and facile narrative that billionaire ‘oligarchs’ are getting rich off government…
Foreigners may come to think they can buy American goodwill or favors if they cut the Trumps in on the action. Americans, and especially his supporters, deserve better from this or any President.”
* * * * *
“You must not play favorites when reproving transgressions.” (the Didache, an early church document)
In August of 2026, while J.D. Vance was promoting a federal anti-fraud task force (which he leads) cracking down on misuse within public benefit programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, he said,
“I don't care where you came from, I don't care what your name is, if you're committing fraud against the American people, all of us, all of us in public leadership should be trying to stop it and try to throw you in prison for enriching yourself off the American taxpayer.”
I appreciate the sentiments expressed in regards to justice. Let’s see if the scales of justice are measuring a fair, righteous and consistent judgment on all attitudes, words and actions of people irregardless of their class, wealth, or party affiliation.
Even while Vance is sending an important message about fraud, Trump has granted clemency or pardon to numerous figures in major health care fraud cases.[ix] For example:
- In 2020, he commuted the 20-year federal prison sentence of Philip Esformes, a Florida nursing home magnate convicted in a scheme that prosecutors said involved about $1.3 billion in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims.
- Joseph Schwartz pled guilty to orchestrating a $39 million payroll tax scheme connected to his nursing home empire. He served only three months of a three year prison term before Trump granted him a full pardon, negating his criminal conviction
- That same year, Trump commuted the sentence of Judith Negron, convicted in a $200 million Medicare fraud case.
- He gave a commutation to Lawrence Duran , guilty of $205M Medicare fraud billing. Duran had pleaded guilty in 2011 for leading a $205 million Medicare fraud scheme, and the clemency order also eliminated his remaining $87 million restitution obligation.
- An analysis from The American Prospect shows that, “Trump has issued 15 pardons in his second term to business owners, pharmacists, doctors, and health care executives, who together defrauded more than $3 billion from the U.S. government and taxpayers.”
- Rep. Mike Levin noted that Ross Ulbricht built one of the largest anonymous drug marketplaces in internet history on which he sold fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on the Silk Road, an infamous dark web market. Federal prosecutors called it the most sophisticated criminal marketplace the internet had ever seen. He was given two life sentences. On day two of his presidency, Trump pardoned him. Then Trump went online and called the prosecutors 'scum'.
- Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation that moved hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States, was freed following a pardon from President Trump.
“If [Bill Clinton’s Mark Rich] pardon was a snowflake, then the pardons of President Trump’s second term are a blizzard. Joe Biden granted 80 pardons in his four-year term…
In the first year of the second Trump administration, the president issued 166 individual pardons, as well as a mass pardon that erased the verdicts of more than 1,500 January 6 Capitol rioters…
Biden’s pardons eliminated roughly $680,000 in financial penalties (fines, restitution, and forfeitures) owed to victims or the government. In contrast, Liz Oyer, the former lead pardon attorney of the United States, has calculated that Trump’s second-term pardons have forgiven criminal debts of more than $1.5 billion…
Trump has normalized the pardoning of disgraced politicians, such as former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez (who orchestrated a spree of state-sponsored drug trafficking leading to a 45-year prison term), Nevada legislator Michele Fiore (who embezzled $70,000 out of a police memorial fund for personal expenses like rent and plastic surgery), Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins (who handed out badges to untrained businessmen in exchange for $75,000 in bribes), and Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada (who defrauded state government with a fake-payee kickback scheme)…
Trump’s pardons are beginning to undermine the contemporaneous work of his own Department of Justice. Alina Habba, Trump’s own US attorney in New Jersey, announced Joseph Schwartz’s three-year sentence for $38 million in tax fraud in April; Trump pardoned him seven months later. Real estate developer Timothy Leiweke was charged earlier this year with conspiring to rig the bidding process for a Texas sports arena; Trump pardoned him in December. Federal investigators and prosecutors must find such pardons demoralizing and self-negating…
Trump pardoned Paul Walczak (who evaded millions of dollars in taxes) after Walczak’s mother raised millions of dollars for MAGA candidates and paid a million dollars to dine with the president at Mar-a-Lago. Trevor Milton—the securities fraudster mentioned above—donated $1.8 million to Trump’s campaign before a presidential pardon wiped out all $660 million of his restitution obligations.
Before Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao—who headed the cryptocurrency exchange Binance while it fostered more than 1.5 million illegal virtual trades as well as prohibited transactions to Al Qaeda, Isis, and Hamas—Zhao had brokered a $2 billion investment in Eric and Donald Trump. Jr.’s cryptocurrency business, World Liberty Financial. (“President Trump’s Pardons: An Embarrassment of Riches.”)
This is happening with an administration that is increasingly deprioritizing or ignoring high dollar, white collar crime. The division of the Justice Department, which focuses on bringing cases against public officials accused of breaking the law (the Public Integrity Section), has shrunk in both size and influence during the Trump administration. Meanwhile, the FBI's Washington Field Office is shutting down a public corruption squad that focused on federal corruption.
* * * * *
I understand why Christians disagree about the details of taxes, regulation, immigration, foreign policy, health care, the proper use of the military, etc. Even when we share the same foundational beliefs about the value of all human life and the need for love to order our pursuit of both justice and mercy, faithful Christians reach different conclusions about how the scales of justice remains righteously balanced.
But agreeing about the rejection of corruption should be easier. Condemning bribery ought not be morally complicated. Standing united against the willful ignoring of lawful restraints should be an easy line to draw.
Refusing to have one standard of justice for ordinary people and another for the wealthy, powerful, politically connected, or useful should be especially easy for people formed by the prophets of Israel and the teachings of Jesus.
I was mentored by strong evangelical voices to reject greed, corruption, hypocrisy, and the love of money. I remember hearing that our public behavior in reference to these issues - our voices, our actions, our votes - either strengthened or damaged the credibility of our witness to Jesus.
I still believe those were good warnings; I still take them seriously. That is why I cannot simply shrug when my faith casts a prophetic spotlight on any political tribe, especially one demanding to be seen as the bulwark of a Christian nation meant to be a "shining city on a hill," an outpost of righteousness in a world of darkness.
It's why I can't not care that so many influential evangelical voices have become so reluctant to consistently demand moral standards they spent decades insisting should apply to public life both in followers of Jesus and they leaders they support.
Whatever it means to follow Jesus, surely it cannot require us to carry two sets of scales, or to turn a blind eye to duplicity and corruption.
Whatever it means to follow Jesus, surely it cannot require us to carry two sets of scales, or to turn a blind eye to duplicity and corruption.
__________________________________________________
[1] Pretty much every post in this series has highlighted some facet of this. This is yet another example.
[i] Or, to paraphrase what Jesus said to the Pharisees in an analogy about straining gnats and camels from drinking water (Matthew 23), it’s a problem when we strain for the smallest moral defect in our opponent's lives before they are acceptable, but we allow monstrous moral faults our own team to remain unstrained, yet still be acceptable.
[ii] “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly”. (Leviticus 19:15) “Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God”. (Deuteronomy 1:17)
[iii] Much that happened before his presidency seems to provide ample evidence that this is not a new way of viewing the world for him.
[1] Pretty much every post in this series has highlighted some facet of this. This is yet another example.
[i] Or, to paraphrase what Jesus said to the Pharisees in an analogy about straining gnats and camels from drinking water (Matthew 23), it’s a problem when we strain for the smallest moral defect in our opponent's lives before they are acceptable, but we allow monstrous moral faults our own team to remain unstrained, yet still be acceptable.
[ii] “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly”. (Leviticus 19:15) “Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God”. (Deuteronomy 1:17)
[iii] Much that happened before his presidency seems to provide ample evidence that this is not a new way of viewing the world for him.
Trump and his businesses were the defendant in 1,450 legal actions in state and federal courts in the three decades before he ran for office.
Trump’s companies have also been cited for 24 violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act since 2005 for failing to pay overtime or minimum wage, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.
Trump’s companies have also been cited for 24 violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act since 2005 for failing to pay overtime or minimum wage, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.
In 2026, over 3,700 former Trump University students filed claims of fraud against President Trump and his for-profit university. They settled with the President and received $25 million.
There is a lot of business history that remains troubling, including the consistent refusal to pay huge bills.
In December 2019, Donald J. Trump paid $2 million in court-ordered damages for misusing funds from the Donald J. Trump Foundation to benefit his 2016 presidential campaign and various business interests. The court-ordered damages were split equally among eight charities: Army Emergency Relief; Children’s Aid Society; City Meals on Wheels; Give an Hour; Martha’s Table; United Negro College Fund; United Way of the National Capital Area; U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. As part of the settlement, Trump admitted to specific acts of misuse, including allowing his campaign staff to distribute funds raised at a veterans event and using the foundation to settle legal obligations of companies he controlled.
[iv] If I were asked to connect some dots, I might connect them to how he views himself. There are dozens of interviews in print or on podcasts that reveal over the decades what supporters would call confidence and critics would call pride. I’ve been thinking of some recent examples of how Trump views himself and his place in the world.
He posted an article on Truth Social that claimed he was the most powerful man to ever live. He added, ”Sounds good to me!” It comes after a senior administration official and Trump confidant told The Atlantic in April that the president had begun talking about how he is “the most powerful person to ever live.”
The U.S. Treasury has announced that the U.S. Mint is beginning production of a new $1 gold coin featuring Donald Trump’s face. The administration has also proposed a $250 dollar bill featuring his face, as well as a 24-karat gold coin etched with his image. He has attached his name or face to quite a few projects, actually: limited edition passports, banners on federal agency buildings, the proposed construction of "Trump Class" battleships, the Kennedy Center, the Institute of Peace building, national park passes, Trump gold cards, stimulus checks... the list goes on.
In 2026, he posted a meme of himself standing between Patton and McArthur, all of them in full uniform, while giving himself a higher rank and more decorations than both of them even though he never served in the military.
[v] The administration has already faced more than 700 lawsuits.
[vi] “Capital One Financial (COF.N) hit back on Friday against a lawsuit over its decision to close the Trump Organization's bank accounts years ago, stating that it did so after a review by anti-money laundering experts [in 2021]. The disclosure marks the first time a bank has formally tied money laundering concerns to U.S. President Donald Trump's family business… Capital One closed Plaintiffs’ accounts for anti-money laundering (“AML”) reasons. The closures were the result of months of analysis and a careful review by Capital One’s AML team in accordance with bank policies and regulatory guidance." (“Capital One says it closed Trump Organization's accounts after anti-money laundering probe.”)
Shortly afterwards, in August of 2026, Senators approved audit immunity for President Trump which applied retroactively “to claims open at the time of the lawsuit’s settlement. “According to the initial outline of the audit deal, the U.S. was “forever barred and precluded” from examining or prosecuting any of the plaintiffs — Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization’s — current tax filings, as well as other “related or affiliated” individuals. "It’s unclear how much Trump owes the federal government in back taxes, but the latest details of the deal could wipe away what could be more than $100 million in back taxes, according to previous New York Times and ProPublica reporting.” One wonders why this is so important. (“As Blanche’s path to confirmation is cleared, Trump’s tax audit immunity remains in place.”)
[vii] In February of 2026, President Trump purchased up to $5,000,000 of Dell stock. Nine days later, he encouraged people to buy a Dell, shortly before the Pentagon awarded Dell a $9.7 billion contract.
There is a lot of business history that remains troubling, including the consistent refusal to pay huge bills.
In December 2019, Donald J. Trump paid $2 million in court-ordered damages for misusing funds from the Donald J. Trump Foundation to benefit his 2016 presidential campaign and various business interests. The court-ordered damages were split equally among eight charities: Army Emergency Relief; Children’s Aid Society; City Meals on Wheels; Give an Hour; Martha’s Table; United Negro College Fund; United Way of the National Capital Area; U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. As part of the settlement, Trump admitted to specific acts of misuse, including allowing his campaign staff to distribute funds raised at a veterans event and using the foundation to settle legal obligations of companies he controlled.
[iv] If I were asked to connect some dots, I might connect them to how he views himself. There are dozens of interviews in print or on podcasts that reveal over the decades what supporters would call confidence and critics would call pride. I’ve been thinking of some recent examples of how Trump views himself and his place in the world.
He posted an article on Truth Social that claimed he was the most powerful man to ever live. He added, ”Sounds good to me!” It comes after a senior administration official and Trump confidant told The Atlantic in April that the president had begun talking about how he is “the most powerful person to ever live.”
The U.S. Treasury has announced that the U.S. Mint is beginning production of a new $1 gold coin featuring Donald Trump’s face. The administration has also proposed a $250 dollar bill featuring his face, as well as a 24-karat gold coin etched with his image. He has attached his name or face to quite a few projects, actually: limited edition passports, banners on federal agency buildings, the proposed construction of "Trump Class" battleships, the Kennedy Center, the Institute of Peace building, national park passes, Trump gold cards, stimulus checks... the list goes on.
In 2026, he posted a meme of himself standing between Patton and McArthur, all of them in full uniform, while giving himself a higher rank and more decorations than both of them even though he never served in the military.
[v] The administration has already faced more than 700 lawsuits.
[vi] “Capital One Financial (COF.N) hit back on Friday against a lawsuit over its decision to close the Trump Organization's bank accounts years ago, stating that it did so after a review by anti-money laundering experts [in 2021]. The disclosure marks the first time a bank has formally tied money laundering concerns to U.S. President Donald Trump's family business… Capital One closed Plaintiffs’ accounts for anti-money laundering (“AML”) reasons. The closures were the result of months of analysis and a careful review by Capital One’s AML team in accordance with bank policies and regulatory guidance." (“Capital One says it closed Trump Organization's accounts after anti-money laundering probe.”)
Shortly afterwards, in August of 2026, Senators approved audit immunity for President Trump which applied retroactively “to claims open at the time of the lawsuit’s settlement. “According to the initial outline of the audit deal, the U.S. was “forever barred and precluded” from examining or prosecuting any of the plaintiffs — Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization’s — current tax filings, as well as other “related or affiliated” individuals. "It’s unclear how much Trump owes the federal government in back taxes, but the latest details of the deal could wipe away what could be more than $100 million in back taxes, according to previous New York Times and ProPublica reporting.” One wonders why this is so important. (“As Blanche’s path to confirmation is cleared, Trump’s tax audit immunity remains in place.”)
[vii] In February of 2026, President Trump purchased up to $5,000,000 of Dell stock. Nine days later, he encouraged people to buy a Dell, shortly before the Pentagon awarded Dell a $9.7 billion contract.
Trump filed a March 4th purchase of stock in Corcept Therapeutics. On March 25th, the FDA approved Corcept's drug Lifyorli, which caused its price to rise significantly.
Trump has made over 3,624 stock market moves in the past 16 months. Broader analyses indicate that across 2025 and mid-2026, the portfolio registered over 21,000 total trades, far surpassing the activity levels of previous modern presidents. Cumulative trading activity for just the first quarter of 2026 days ranged between $212 million and $695 million.
Trump is well aware of how his public statements move the market. He is now selling early looks at his Truth Social posts for $100,000 a month. The very conservative National Review published an article by Charles Cooke calling for his impeachment because of this.
“Senators Warren and Schiff have described Trump’s plan as “an outrageous abuse of the President’s office for his personal benefit that undermines everyday investors and the integrity of our markets, while enriching Wall Street and other wealthy insiders.” They are correct. Whether that abuse is illegal within our thicket of inside-trading laws —and, indeed, whether it is functionally prosecutable if so — is a tricky question. But it is certainly a grave offense against honesty, transparency, and good government. If it has any self-respect, Congress will respond to the president’s brazen provocation by passing a law that renders his model flatly illegal. And, if that fails to persuade him, it will impeach and remove him from office, the better to drain the swamp.” (“Truth Social’s Early-Access Scheme Is Indefensible.”)
[viii] The Saudi connection is overwhelming and complex. See “Saudi Arabia funding of Donald Trump and Jared Kushner – the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and LIV Golf” https://newstracs.com/saudi-arabia-funding-to-trump-and-kushner/2022/09/28/
[ix] For the record, I think the power of the presidential pardon has been badly abused by multiple presidents. When Biden left office, he extended some pardons/commutations that were widely condemned, as they deserved.
[x] Jason Galanis, ordered to pay more than $80 million in restitution for his various $200M+fraudulent schemes. Trump commuted Galanis' 189-month prison sentence.
Three co-founders of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange who pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, for failing to maintain anti-money laundering and know-your-customer programs. BitMEX was sentenced to pay a fine of $100 million for violating the Bank Secrecy Act; the founders received criminal sentences of probation of varying lengths and were ordered to pay civil fines totaling $30 million. Trump gave them “full and unconditional” pardons.
Todd & Julie Chrisley were sentenced in November 2022 to a combined 19 years in prison on charges including $30M bank fraud and tax evasion. The couple was also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution. Savannah Chrisley, their daughter, appealed to the Trump administration for pardons for her parents and spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention. It worked.
Michele Fiore was convicted of charity fraud because she used money she raised that was meant for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including rent, her daughter’s wedding, and plastic surgery.
Carlos Watson, convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, was responsible for paying almost $60 million in forfeiture and more than $36 million in restitution. Trump commuted his sentence.
Scott Jenkins was convicted in December 2024 of receiving cash bribes, and bribes made through contributions to his campaign for office, to appoint multiple donors as auxiliary deputy sheriffs during his tenure. In a thread in which he thanked Trump for pardoning Jenkins, the director of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group —wrote, “No MAGA left behind.”
Imaad Shah Zuberi, 50, of Arcadia, California, a major donor to Trump, was ordered to pay $15,705,080 in restitution and a criminal fine of $1.75 million for unregistered foreign lobbying, illegal campaign contributions and obstruction of justice. Trump commuted his sentence.
David Gentile no longer required to pay $15.5M in restitution after Trump’s commutation 12 days into his prison sentence. Gentile and his business partner, Jeffry Schneider, were convicted in August 2024 of conspiring to defraud thousands of investors in a capital funds scheme totaling $1.6 billion and using funding from investors to “pay distributions and create a false appearance of success.” …that prosecutors said harmed more than 10,000 investors.
Adam Kidon pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and mail fraud in 2005. He (and Abramoff) were ordered to pay a total of $217 million in restitution. Kidan donated about $270,000 to Trump-affiliated committees during the 2024 election cycle and hosted fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago, according to the report. He received a pardon from Trump just days after making a $2,600 to Rep. Ryan MacKenzie's (R-PA) leadership PAC on June 30.
Rep. Mike Levin reported that Trump pardoned a convicted fraudster, Adam Kidan, who owed $21.7 million in restitution to investors. Previously, he donated millions to Republican campaigns and groups, including more than $270,000 to Trump’s political committees in 2024, and helped host a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump is well aware of how his public statements move the market. He is now selling early looks at his Truth Social posts for $100,000 a month. The very conservative National Review published an article by Charles Cooke calling for his impeachment because of this.
“Senators Warren and Schiff have described Trump’s plan as “an outrageous abuse of the President’s office for his personal benefit that undermines everyday investors and the integrity of our markets, while enriching Wall Street and other wealthy insiders.” They are correct. Whether that abuse is illegal within our thicket of inside-trading laws —and, indeed, whether it is functionally prosecutable if so — is a tricky question. But it is certainly a grave offense against honesty, transparency, and good government. If it has any self-respect, Congress will respond to the president’s brazen provocation by passing a law that renders his model flatly illegal. And, if that fails to persuade him, it will impeach and remove him from office, the better to drain the swamp.” (“Truth Social’s Early-Access Scheme Is Indefensible.”)
[viii] The Saudi connection is overwhelming and complex. See “Saudi Arabia funding of Donald Trump and Jared Kushner – the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and LIV Golf” https://newstracs.com/saudi-arabia-funding-to-trump-and-kushner/2022/09/28/
[ix] For the record, I think the power of the presidential pardon has been badly abused by multiple presidents. When Biden left office, he extended some pardons/commutations that were widely condemned, as they deserved.
[x] Jason Galanis, ordered to pay more than $80 million in restitution for his various $200M+fraudulent schemes. Trump commuted Galanis' 189-month prison sentence.
Three co-founders of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange who pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, for failing to maintain anti-money laundering and know-your-customer programs. BitMEX was sentenced to pay a fine of $100 million for violating the Bank Secrecy Act; the founders received criminal sentences of probation of varying lengths and were ordered to pay civil fines totaling $30 million. Trump gave them “full and unconditional” pardons.
Todd & Julie Chrisley were sentenced in November 2022 to a combined 19 years in prison on charges including $30M bank fraud and tax evasion. The couple was also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution. Savannah Chrisley, their daughter, appealed to the Trump administration for pardons for her parents and spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention. It worked.
Michele Fiore was convicted of charity fraud because she used money she raised that was meant for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including rent, her daughter’s wedding, and plastic surgery.
Carlos Watson, convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, was responsible for paying almost $60 million in forfeiture and more than $36 million in restitution. Trump commuted his sentence.
Scott Jenkins was convicted in December 2024 of receiving cash bribes, and bribes made through contributions to his campaign for office, to appoint multiple donors as auxiliary deputy sheriffs during his tenure. In a thread in which he thanked Trump for pardoning Jenkins, the director of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group —wrote, “No MAGA left behind.”
Imaad Shah Zuberi, 50, of Arcadia, California, a major donor to Trump, was ordered to pay $15,705,080 in restitution and a criminal fine of $1.75 million for unregistered foreign lobbying, illegal campaign contributions and obstruction of justice. Trump commuted his sentence.
David Gentile no longer required to pay $15.5M in restitution after Trump’s commutation 12 days into his prison sentence. Gentile and his business partner, Jeffry Schneider, were convicted in August 2024 of conspiring to defraud thousands of investors in a capital funds scheme totaling $1.6 billion and using funding from investors to “pay distributions and create a false appearance of success.” …that prosecutors said harmed more than 10,000 investors.
Adam Kidon pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and mail fraud in 2005. He (and Abramoff) were ordered to pay a total of $217 million in restitution. Kidan donated about $270,000 to Trump-affiliated committees during the 2024 election cycle and hosted fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago, according to the report. He received a pardon from Trump just days after making a $2,600 to Rep. Ryan MacKenzie's (R-PA) leadership PAC on June 30.
Rep. Mike Levin reported that Trump pardoned a convicted fraudster, Adam Kidan, who owed $21.7 million in restitution to investors. Previously, he donated millions to Republican campaigns and groups, including more than $270,000 to Trump’s political committees in 2024, and helped host a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
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