Commentary: Trump’s Art of the Deal

Since his election, Trump's net worth has skyrocketed —fueled by self-serving financial maneuvers and a relentless pursuit of personal profit. His actions consistently reveal an obsession with branding, wealth accumulation and expanding his influence.

Upon re-election, he launched a cryptocurrency, enabling billions in untraceable insider trading — boosting his fortune by 40%, nearing $3 billion.

Thriving on chaos, Trump strategically pressures the Federal Reserve into lowering interest rates while expanding executive power under the guise of emergency reform.

His recently passed House budget bill adds trillions to the national debt, with annual interest payments surpassing $1 trillion — all while weakening federal courts' ability to hold officials accountable, further eroding oversight.

Economic downturns only amplify his global leverage. As the U.S., China and Europe falter, he dictates recovery terms. His policies fuel inflation/recession, destabilize markets, shrink consumer spending, and tighten credit access — accelerating financial distress.

Meanwhile, his withdrawal from global leadership fosters instability, heightening the risk of war — an investor's nightmare that inflates defense budgets and security investments.

But his ultimate aim? Cheap money. Lower interest rates inflate stocks, reduce debt costs, and benefit Treasury markets — while everyday Americans foot the bill.

Trump systematically slashes IRS resources, shifting corporate tax burdens onto working families. His disproportionate focus on manufacturing — only 10% of the economy — undermines broader economic growth and innovation.

Another costly initiative? A national school voucher program, a tax scheme rewarding wealthy donors with credits for private school tuition scholarships. This forces taxpayers to subsidize religious education, diverting critical resources from struggling public schools.

The consequences of these policies are compounded by an undereducated population. Recent U.S. Department of Education (that he gutted, like lots of other federal departments) data reveals alarming literacy rates: The average adult reads at an eighth-grade level, with 54% below sixth grade and nearly one in five below third grade — making misinformation and manipulation dangerously effective.

Meanwhile, Social Security faces staffing cuts, chaotic website overhauls, and sudden benefit disruptions —plunging millions into uncertainty.

In the end, economic turmoil benefits those holding cash, enabling the wealthy to scoop up assets at rock-bottom prices — solidifying their grip on power while everyday Americans suffer. Trump's legacy is clear: robbing the public to enrich himself, his family and his inner circle.