Will Trump’s (Many) Businesses Affect His Presidential Ethics?

Donald Trump’s businesses raise speculation about the potential for a conflict of interest in his policies.

Donald Trump with his family. (Photo: AP)

Donald Trump is a former businessman who owns 65 properties, and 500 companies in 27 countries. In fact, when he formally becomes the president, he will be overlooking his DC hotel which is owned by the federal government, effectively becoming his own landlord!

Naturally, there is speculation about the potential for a conflict of interest in Trump’s business policies.

Moreover, even though Trump’s children have said that they will handle his businesses when their father becomes the president, one cannot help but wonder how much influence they will have on Trump’s presidency, and how much Trump’s presidency will influence his businesses especially since Trump requested security clearance for his children.

A security clearance will grant the Trump children access to classified information and restricted areas.

Security analysts note that a potential conflict of interest can raise doubts about how much a president is devoted towards his country.

If we are concerned about the blending of political powers with personal interests (as has been the case with the Clinton foundation), we should be asking hard questions about how president-elect Trump divides his political and business interest.

<b>Juan Zarate, Senior National Security Analyst</b>