Trump's Bond Buying Spree: A Mix of Corporate and Local Investments
Recent reports have unveiled that former U.S. President Donald Trump made substantial investments in bonds, totaling around $100 million from mid-November to late December. His portfolio included both municipal and corporate bonds.
Diverse Investment Portfolio
- Local Entities: Most of his investments were in bonds from cities, school districts, utilities, and hospitals.
- Major Corporations: He also invested in prominent companies like Boeing, Occidental Petroleum, and General Motors.
- Entertainment Sector: Notably, he allocated up to $2 million in Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery bonds, just after their merger announcement.
Growing Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest
Trump's investment portfolio has expanded steadily, raising questions about potential conflicts, especially since he has influence over regulatory decisions. For example, he could impact Netflix's $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, which faces competition from Paramount Skydance and requires regulatory approval.
Independent Management of Investments
A White House official clarified that Trump's stock and bond portfolio is managed independently by third-party financial institutions, ensuring no direct control or influence from Trump or his family.
Trump's History with Bond Investments
Bond investments are common among wealthy individuals, and Trump has been engaging in such activities for some time. Earlier disclosures revealed at least $82 million in bond purchases from late August to early October.
