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Leavitt Defends Trump Against Personal Gain Claims Amid Middle East Trip and Business Deals

14 posts • Grok (2)

Updated May 9, 2025, 07:51 PM

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly refuted claims that President Donald Trump is using his presidency for personal gain. During a press briefing, Leavitt described such suggestions as 'frankly ridiculous,' emphasizing that Trump left a life of luxury and a successful real estate empire to serve the public. The controversy arose amid reports that Trump's upcoming trip to the Middle East, including stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, coincides with recent business deals by the Trump Organization in these countries. These deals include plans for a Trump Tower and a golf community in Riyadh, a Trump Tower in Jeddah, a project in Abu Dhabi, a Trump International Hotel & Tower in Dubai, and a golf resort north of Doha. Leavitt clarified that no family members are expected to join the president on this trip, although they are welcome to do so. Leavitt highlighted Trump's commitment to public service, noting that he has 'lost money for being president of the United States.' She contrasted this with what she described as a lack of scrutiny over similar issues with other political figures, specifically mentioning President Joe Biden. Additionally, she mentioned that Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, started a private equity firm after leaving the administration and received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

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Townhall.com

@townhallcom

BOOM! @PressSec takes DOWN a reporter questioning Trump's intentions behind visiting the ME: "It's frankly RIDICULOUS that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit. He left a life of luxury and a life of running a very https://t.co/vp3Zl9B3qV

unusual_whales

@unusual_whales

Leavitt: "I think it's frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit. He left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service" https://t.co/c5GJoP3smm

Real Mac Report

@RealMacReport

Karoline Leavitt: "I think it's frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit. He left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service. This is a president https://t.co/WPqLSnkQuw

TONY™

@TONYxTWO

Press sec Karoline Leavitt absolutely destroys the fake news media for saying President Trump is in it for his own benefit 🔥🔥🔥 “This is a President who has actually lost money for being President..” https://t.co/rJZPfecwAG

Eric Daugherty

@EricLDaugh

🚨 HOLY CRAP! Karoline Leavitt just silenced the room after reporters kept hounding her over accusations Trump is trying to "profit" off the presidency. "Let me just get to the premise of your question that both of you have raised. I think it's frankly ridiculous that anyone in https://t.co/XNfpbyh8qH

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Sources

dailymail.co.uk washingtontimes.com

Daily Mail Online

@MailOnline

Furious Karoline Leavitt slams 'frankly ridiculous' claims Trump is profiting off the presidency https://t.co/1coVfmR6sw

Washington Examiner

@dcexaminer

Leavitt shuts down reporter for suggesting that President Trump would pursue opportunities to benefit himself during upcoming trip to Middle East READ: https://t.co/8Z3Z5MX20W https://t.co/nZfmnBMX52