Most Americans Believe That Trump Is Profiting From The Presidency

• 14.10.2026, 17:08

Dissatisfaction with the U.S. president could hurt the Republicans.

Most U.S. residents believe that U.S. President Donald Trump is using the presidency for personal gain, and many suspect him of illegal activities, according to the magazine TIME.

According to a survey conducted September 24–28 among 2,140 American adults, 40% of respondents believe the president has done something illegal to make money. Another 18% are convinced that his actions do not violate the law but are unethical.

At the same time, 56% of those surveyed said that Trump largely prioritizes his personal business interests over those of the state. Only 23% believe that he prioritizes the country’s interests.

The scale of the president’s business empire raises questions about conflicts of interest. According to his financial disclosure statement, Trump’s total income for 2025 amounted to $2.2 billion. A significant portion of this amount—about $1.4 billion—is tied to his family’s cryptocurrency ventures.

“This is a structural conflict of interest: he sets policies that directly benefit his family,” Raymond La Raja, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told TIME.

Discontent is growing amid economic problems. Only 28% of respondents in another poll approved of Trump’s actions regarding employment and the economy. Rising prices and higher fuel costs—including those driven by the war with Iran and U.S. tariffs—are becoming an additional source of frustration for voters.

According to political analysts, dissatisfaction with the president could also hurt Republicans, who are counting on retaining their majorities in both houses of Congress.