Bessent's nomination and the Doral G20 raise conflict and emoluments concerns

President Donald Trump announced on Sep. 5, 2025 that the United States will host the 2026 G20 summit at Trump National Doral, scheduled Dec. 14–15, 2026.

Scott Bessent was nominated as Treasury Secretary on Nov. 22, 2024 and confirmed on Jan. 27, 2025. He previously served as Chief Investment Officer at Soros Fund Management (2011-2015), where he generated approximately $10 billion in profits, including a $1.2 billion gain from betting against the Japanese yen in 2013.

The G20 collectively accounts for approximately 85% of global GDP and international trade. Kevin Hassett serves as Director of the National Economic Council, coordinating White House economic policy.

Watchdog group CREW filed emoluments lawsuits during Trump's first term. The Supreme Court dismissed these cases as moot in Jan. 2021 after Trump left office, leaving constitutional questions about presidential business interests unresolved.

Kevin Hassett has served as Director of the National Economic Council since Jan. 20, 2025 and coordinates White House economic policy as a senior adviser.

In Oct. 2019, Trump cancelled plans to host the 2020 G7 summit at Doral following bipartisan criticism over emoluments concerns. The 2025 G20 announcement revived similar ethical questions about hosting international events at presidential properties.