Presidential beer pong, deals 'all over' the Middle East and $150M for Barron: Your Trump Org update
News on the return of Donald Trump's for-profit presidency
2017: ‘No new foreign deals.’
2024: ‘We’re doing projects all over the [Middle East]’
“No new foreign deals will be made whatsoever during the duration of President Trump’s presidency,” Trump’s attorney Sherri Dillon said at a 2017 pre-inaugural press conference in Trump Tower (yeah, the one with the piles of folders).
In December 2024, Eric Trump took a different line. Speaking at a crypto conference in the United Arab Emirates, he said the Trump Organization was “doing projects in Jeddah, we’re doing projects in Oman, we’re doing projects in Riyadh, we’re doing projects all over the region,” ABC News reported. “The UAE is the developer’s greatest dream, because they never say no to anything,” he said.
The UAE has since become a hub of Trump Organization business interests (all stories throughout the newsletter are mine, unless otherwise credited)—
“Abu Dhabi Fund MGX Emerges As Key Player In Two Major Trump-Era Deals”
“MGX Cites ‘Compliance History’ In Picking Brand New Trump-Linked Stablecoin USD1 For $2 Billion Binance Deal”
“This Gulf Nation Is Powering Trump’s Moneymaking Machine”by Dan Alexander
Of course, never count out the Saudis—
“Here’s Everything We Know About Trump’s Financial Ties To Saudi Arabia,” reports Dan
Howdy strangers!
I’d just gotten back into the rhythm of publishing 1100 Pennsylvania when my summer got hijacked by some family stuff (all’s fine!). So let’s catch up. The Trump Organization has been busy—and so have the Forbes reporters covering it.
1100 Pennsylvania is free—so please share and, if you’re not already a subscriber, become one.
As Trump defends foreign workers, his company sought a record number in 2025
After Trump defended foreign worker visas on Fox News last week, I took another look at his business’s use of them:
The Trump Organization sought to bring in at least 184 foreign workers in 2025 for temporary positions at Mar-a-Lago, two golf clubs and a Virginia winery through H-2A and H-2B visas, according to data from the Department of Labor.
In total, Trump’s companies have sought at least 2,033 foreign workers since 2008, the earliest year for which data is posted on the Labor Department’s website—including 566 during his five years in office.
Read more at Forbes.
Trump II goes where Trump I wouldn’t on the small stuff, too
Coast Guard-run stores, which provide service members and their families with access to tax-free consumer goods, have stocked Trump-branded wine and cider. These products appear to be among the few times Trump items have been sold at a government facility.
GodBlessTheUSABible.com, which pays licensing fees to Trump, is selling merchandise bearing the official presidential seal—including a $150 record player and $20 beer pong set with “Presidential themed balls.” Those items could violate federal law restricting commercial use of the seal. While Trump’s golf courses have displayed the seal since at least 2021, the beer pong set and record player appear to be the first time the seal has appeared on merchandise tied to Trump.
Trump Media pivots, still loses money
Truth Social’s parent company has effectively become a crypto holding company with a social-media side hustle. Either way, it’s losing money, and the stock is trading near its all-time low.
“Trump Media Lost $54.8 Million Last Quarter—And Is On Track To Lose Far More” by me and Dan
“Trump Bet Big On Bitcoin. His Timing Couldn’t Have Been Much Worse” by Dan
“Trump Media General Counsel Sold Every Share He Could—Becoming Second Insider To Cut Stake”
“Trump Media Rolls Out ETFs That Could Benefit From The President’s Policies”
“Trump Media Gave CEO Devin Nunes $5.9 Million In Stock—Despite Firm’s $20 Million Loss”
But what does it all mean?
Glad you asked! My colleagues at Forbes tallied it all up late this summer—
Donald Trump’s net worth is up about $2 billion in the past year, driven largely by cryptocurrency, reports Dan. (It was $3 billion when the article was published in September, but the crypto market has tanked of late.) Forbes now estimates Trump’s net worth is currently about $6.3 billion.
Eric Trump’s estimated net worth jumped from $40 million last year to $750 million as of mid-September, report Dan and Kyle Khan-Mullins.
Donald Trump Jr., meanwhile, saw his net worth jump from about $50 million to $500 million, per Dan and Kyle.
Nineteen-year-old college sophomore Barron Trump is now worth $150 million, reports Kyle. (Meaning Barron’s probably skipping out on the classic college ritual of living off instant ramen.)
Of course, unanswered questions remain: “Why No One Really Knows How Much Money The Trumps Are Making Right Now,” reports Dan.
A recap: How Trump still earns money in office
Trump can earn income from his businesses while in office through the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.
He is its sole donor and beneficiary, while Donald Trump Jr. serves as the trustee, according to prior Trump Organization statements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Trump Organization confirmed in an April 2025 regulatory filing in the United Kingdom that Trump retains control over his businesses.
Other Trump Organization news
“Eric Trump Removed From Board Role After Firm Consults Nasdaq”
“Trump Family’s WLFI Token Debuts 5 To 15 Times Above Early Sale Prices Despite Drop” by me and Siladitya Ray
“Donald Trump Jr.’s Expanding Business: After Joining 2nd New Board, U.S. Contracts Followed”
“Trump Crypto Partner Suspends CEO With No Explanation After Stock Falls 74%”
“Trump’s White House Demolition Isn’t His First Time Leveling A Building — Or Ignoring Preservationists”
“Trump Saved This Vietnamese Real Estate Mogul’s Fortune. Now They Are Opening A Golf Resort Together” by Giacomo Tognini
“Meet The Florida Sugar Barons Worth $4 Billion And Getting Sweet Deals From Donald Trump” by Chloe Sorvino
“Why The Next Trump Project Might Be In Nashville” by Dan
“Trump Is Now One Of America’s Biggest Bitcoin Investors” by Dan
Get in touch
Have a tip? Email me at z_everson@protonmail.com or call/text/Signal 202.804.2744.
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That Patriotic Pong game is just about as tacky as his gaudy Oval Office and far FAR below the dignity that office used to have.