'I feel bad for my kids': Trump says his children can't even 'buy a truck' without facing scrutiny

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, July 2, defended his family's business activities, saying the presidency has made it difficult for his children to conduct normal business without facing conflict-of-interest allegations.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Trump said he has stepped away from managing his business empire and insisted his focus remains on serving as president. His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the Trump family's finances following the release of his latest financial disclosure report.

Trump says presidency burdens his children

Trump said the presidency places his family under constant scrutiny, arguing that even routine business decisions by his children are often viewed as potential conflicts of interest.

"I feel badly in a way for my kids because every time my kids do, if they invest in a stock or if they go and do a building, anything they do, because the presidency is so powerful, so big," Trump said.

He argued that even ordinary business decisions are subjected to public scrutiny because of his office. "If they buy a cupcake company... how's my energy policy? So therefore you have a conflict."

Trump continued by saying the same questions would arise regardless of what his children purchased or invested in. "If they want to buy a truck... if they buy an energy-efficient truck, they have inside information. So it's pretty tough in that sense."

The president said he has encouraged his children to avoid situations that could invite criticism, while acknowledging they continue to have their own personal and professional lives. "I tell my kids, stay away from as much as you can stay away from. But they also have a life."

His remarks come as Ivanka Trump faces scrutiny over a proposed luxury resort project on Albania's Sazan Island and after financial disclosures highlighted the Trump family's expanding business interests, while the president has repeatedly said he no longer manages those operations as president.

Trump says son Eric Trump runs family business

Trump also rejected suggestions that he is personally managing or benefiting from his businesses while serving in office, saying he has delegated those responsibilities. "I don't do anything having to do with my business. My kids run it."

He said he accumulated his wealth before returning to the White House and no longer directs investment decisions. "I had a lot of money, and I have a lot of money... I've made a tremendous amount of money."

According to Trump, his son Eric Trump manages the family's assets while outside investment firms oversee day-to-day investment decisions. "My son Eric handles it. I don't talk to him about things such as this."

Addressing reports that disclosure filings showed investments in companies such as Nvidia, Trump said he has little involvement in those holdings. "I don't care about that... because I have a much bigger purpose."

He concluded by saying his responsibilities as president outweigh any concern about personal financial gains. "This is the Oval Office. It's a much bigger purpose than whether or not I make money."