Foreign diplomats spend millions at Trump hotels since 2025 inauguration

During the first two years of his presidency, officials and governments from 20 foreign countries paid at least $7.8 million to Trump properties (House Oversight Committee press release, February 1, 2025).

China was by far the largest spender, transferring more than $5.5 million to Trump businesses through government entities and state-owned enterprises (CBS News; American Oversight report).

On January 17, 2018, Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations purchased a fourth apartment at Trump World Tower for $6.5 million (House Oversight Committee report).

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia paid at least $615,422 to Trump-owned properties, including charges for the 45th floor of Trump World Tower (House Oversight Committee report).

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) calculated that Trump likely benefited from $13.6 million in foreign government payments, including almost $4 million in UK economic assistance programs such as emergency bailouts and furlough support (CREW comprehensive report).

Trump dismissed the constitutional prohibition as the “phony Emoluments Clause” in 2019 (CBS News; CREW analysis).

The Foreign Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) prohibits federal officeholders from accepting money or gifts from foreign governments without Congressional approval (ABC News; CREW analysis).

Mazars USA produced the financial documents used by the House Oversight Committee after years of litigation, covering four Trump properties over two years (NBC News; House Oversight Committee report).