Trump allies report millions in earnings from media, legal, and political ventures tied to his rise

Trump allies report millions in earnings from media, legal, and political ventures tied to his rise

US President Donald Trump’s latest return to the White House has brought with it a wave of financial disclosures revealing just how deeply intertwined his political orbit has become with a network of private firms, nonprofits, and consulting outfits profiting from his brand. While Trump first ran as an outsider vowing to disrupt the political establishment, the filings show that a robust cottage industry has emerged around him—one that has been highly profitable for his closest aides, the New York Times reported.

Millions earned through Trump-linked businesses

Senior White House officials, including deputy chiefs of staff Dan Scavino and Sergio Gor, reported earning over $1 million each from ventures tied to Trump. Scavino, for instance, was paid consulting fees by Trump Media & Technology Group and received income from platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and the Republican National Committee. Gor’s income stemmed largely from publishing ventures, including Winning Team Publishing, co-founded with Donald Trump Jr.

Other key figures, including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and policy adviser Stephen Miller, drew large incomes from nonprofits and consultancies aligned with Trump’s policy agenda. Miller’s America First Legal paid him over $500,000, while Wiles collected more than $4.4 million through her firm Right Coast Strategies and additional income through lobbying entities.

The rise of Trump-aligned institutions

The disclosures offer a window into how Trump allies who struggled to find roles in mainstream institutions post–January 6, 2021, built a parallel infrastructure to carry his movement forward. Think tanks like the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), advocacy organizations like America First Legal, and publishing ventures formed part of this emerging pro-Trump ecosystem.

The AFPI, launched in 2020 as a policy incubator for a future Trump administration, paid several now-senior White House staffers, including Heidi Overton, James Sherk, and Lea Bardon. Former cabinet officials Linda McMahon and Brooke Rollins, now serving again under Trump, were instrumental in AFPI’s early days.

Ties to foreign-backed firms and political consulting

Some disclosures highlight the blurred lines between public service and private gain. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, was paid by Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, a $3 billion fund backed by Gulf state sovereign wealth funds. James Blair and Taylor Budowich, both deputy chiefs of staff, reported earnings of $2.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, from political consultancies serving Trump’s campaign and PACs.

Other officials, including lawyers David Warrington and Gary Lawkowski, previously represented Trump allies or served clients closely tied to his legal and political defence efforts. Both were affiliated with the law firm of Harmeet Dhillon, now a top DOJ official.

Trump and Vance also report gains

Trump’s personal filing revealed nearly $57 million in earnings from cryptocurrency ventures, including World Liberty Financial. Vice President JD Vance reported income from his venture capital firm Narya Capital, which is backed by tech billionaires like Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and Eric Schmidt. Vance also disclosed royalties from his memoir Hillbilly Elegy and rental income from a Washington property.

A growing Trump Inc.

Analysts like Jonathan Guyer of the Institute for Global Affairs note that the disclosures reflect a post-2021 shift, in which former Trump aides built an entire network to sustain the movement after being sidelined by traditional institutions. “This is Trump Inc.,” Guyer said. “A network of strategists, lawyers, and consultants advancing Trump’s interests, often outside of the official structures of government.”

While the Trump administration touted the disclosures as a sign of transparency, critics say they underscore how the lines between Trump’s public role and private enterprise continue to blur—with financial rewards flowing to those most loyal to the brand.