Post by : Rohit Dhiman

A majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump and his family have inappropriately profited from cryptocurrency since his return to the White House, while many also say his private business interests are influencing his presidential decisions, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The findings come as questions over Trump business interests, cryptocurrency ventures and presidential ethics continue to attract public attention ahead of the November midterm elections.

63% Question Trump Family Crypto Profits

The four-day Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 63% of Americans considered it inappropriate for Trump and his family to benefit financially from their cryptocurrency activities. About 32% said the profits were appropriate, while the remaining respondents did not provide an answer. The issue has also created a divide within Trump's Republican base. Around three in 10 Republican respondents said the cryptocurrency-related profits were inappropriate, while about seven in 10 Republicans considered them appropriate. The poll highlights how sharply opinions differ depending on political affiliation, with Democrats generally expressing much greater concern than Republicans.

Most Americans See Business Influence on Presidency

One of the most notable findings was that 69% of Americans said Trump's private business interests influence the decisions he makes as president. That view was shared by roughly two-thirds of independent voters and about nine in 10 Democrats. Even among Republicans, half said business considerations influence Trump's policy decisions.m The result could add pressure on the administration as voters prepare to decide which party will control Congress after the 2026 US midterm elections.

Trump Defends His Business Arrangements

Trump has said that he does not take part in the day-to-day management of his family's businesses while serving as president. According to his position, his investments are being handled independently. The White House has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and said Trump's financial investments are managed by independent institutions. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the administration believes there are no conflicts of interest and that the president acts in the interests of the American public. Trump has also strongly supported crypto-friendly policies during his second term after making cryptocurrency a prominent part of his political outreach.

Crypto Ventures Under Public Scrutiny

Trump's family has been involved in several cryptocurrency ventures, including World Liberty Financial and the Trump meme coin. These projects have generated substantial financial activity and have become a major focus of discussions surrounding the president's business interests. Trump has publicly promoted his branded cryptocurrency, further intensifying debate about the relationship between his political position and private financial interests.

Ethics Experts Raise Concerns

Presidential ethics experts have described the combination of political power and private business interests as highly unusual. Richard Painter, who served as the chief ethics lawyer for Republican President George W. Bush, said the situation surrounding Trump's second administration represents an unprecedented level of complexity compared with Trump's first term. The debate centers on whether a president can maintain appropriate distance between government decisions and private financial interests.

Corruption Becomes a Major Political Issue

The survey also examined how Americans view corruption in Washington and across the federal government. Democrats were considerably more likely to believe corruption has worsened under the Trump administration, while Republicans were more divided. Among all respondents, 41% said the Democratic Party was more corrupt, compared with 49% who pointed to the Republican Party. The findings could become politically important as both parties prepare for the November elections.

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Midterm Elections Could Test Voter Sentiment

The US midterm elections will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Trump's current presidential term. Public concerns over corruption, business dealings, inflation and government policy could therefore influence voter decisions. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online among 1,166 US adults between August 14 and August 17. The survey has a margin of error of about three percentage points for the overall sample and five percentage points for Democrats, Republicans and independents.

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