Trump says he won’t set aside business interests in second term due to 'criticism' in first

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said he will not keep his family’s business interests separate from his public role during his second term, arguing that his voluntary ethical restraints during his first presidency earned him criticism rather than credit.

The Republican leader made the comments in a lengthy interview with The New York Times, saying his current approach came from how he was treated during his first time in office. 

Trump defends decision not to set aside business interests

Trump described his experience in the White House’s first term as a lesson in how ethical restraint is perceived, saying that efforts to avoid conflicts did not bring him positive recognition.

“I got no credit in the first term,” Trump said, reflecting on the voluntary limits he placed on his family’s global business activities.

“I got nothing but criticised,” he claimed.

He noted that during his first presidency, he effectively barred his sons from pursuing certain overseas deals and donated his presidential salary, steps he emphasized were not legally required but were taken to avoid conflicts.

However, Trump concluded that because those moves did not shield him from scrutiny, he saw “no reason” to enforce similar restraints in a potential second term.

“I didn’t have to do that,” he said, pointing to how criticism continued despite restraint.

Trump also rejected suggestions that continued business activity by his family could present ethical problems, saying he already maintains separation where necessary and that his critics focus unfairly on his private ties.

Trump defends family finances and crypto ties

Referencing the first US president, he argued that such concerns were misplaced.

“George Washington conducted business while president,” Trump said, adding that while he did not do so himself, he saw no reason to limit his family’s endeavors.

“I have a very honest family,” he said, noting that he never accepted his presidential salary.

Trump also defended his administration’s support for the cryptocurrency industry, where his family has become a major player, even as companies tied to Trump-linked crypto ventures have benefited from a rollback of securities enforcement.

 “I got a lot of votes because I backed crypto, and I got to like it,” he said, adding that his push was aimed at making the US the global leader in the sector.