A new Reuters/Ipsos poll is putting renewed attention on the intersection of President Donald Trump’s private business interests and his presidency, with 69% of Americans saying they believe his business interests influence his decisions in office.
The poll, conducted August 14–17 among 1,166 U.S. adults, also found that 63% considered it inappropriate for Trump and his family to have profited from cryptocurrency ventures since his return to the White House. The poll has a margin of error of approximately 3 percentage points.
The numbers do not establish that Trump has actually allowed his business interests to determine government policy. They measure public perception—and that perception is becoming an increasingly important political issue.
TRUMP FAMILY CRYPTO BUSINESS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Trump and his family have generated substantial revenue from cryptocurrency ventures, including World Liberty Financial and the Official Trump cryptocurrency.
Reuters reported that Trump disclosed more than $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency-related income during 2025. Trump has also embraced cryptocurrency as part of his administration’s policy agenda.
The White House rejects allegations of conflicts of interest.
“There are no conflicts of interest,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, adding that the president acts in the best interests of the American public.
Trump has said his investments are independently managed and that he does not have a day-to-day role in his family’s business operations.
A POLITICAL DIVIDE
The poll reveals a sharp partisan divide over Trump’s cryptocurrency profits.
While 63% of Americans overall said the profits were inappropriate, roughly seven in ten Republican respondents said they were appropriate. Views about whether Trump’s private business interests influence his presidential decisions also varied significantly by party.
The survey also found Republicans divided over whether corruption has become better or worse under the current administration. Fifty-six percent of Republicans said corruption was at least somewhat better, while the remainder said it was unchanged or worse.
That divide demonstrates how differently Americans are interpreting the same events.
ETHICS QUESTIONS ARE GETTING LOUDER
Richard Painter, who served as the chief ethics lawyer for Republican President George W. Bush, described the combination of presidential power and extensive private business interests as unprecedented.
The concern is not simply about cryptocurrency.
The broader question is whether Americans believe a president can maintain public trust while members of his family continue operating lucrative private businesses connected to industries affected by federal policy.
That question is likely to remain part of the national political conversation.
COULD THIS AFFECT THE MIDTERMS?
The Reuters/Ipsos findings arrive with the November 2026 midterm elections approaching.
Reuters reported that Trump’s personal enrichment could become an issue for Republicans as voters decide who controls Congress for the final two years of Trump’s term.
But the poll also shows something more complicated: concerns about corruption are not confined to one political camp. Respondents were divided over which party is more corrupt, with 49% naming Republicans and 41% naming Democrats.
THE TRUST PROBLEM
One of the most revealing findings may not be the cryptocurrency number itself.
It is the 69% who believe Trump’s business interests influence his presidential decisions.
Again, that is a measurement of perception—not proof of wrongdoing.
But perceptions of conflicts of interest can have consequences because presidential power ultimately depends not only on legal authority, but also on public confidence.
As the administration continues pursuing cryptocurrency-friendly policies while Trump’s family remains involved in the crypto industry, the conflict-of-interest debate is unlikely to disappear.
THE PROPHETIC QUESTION
For Christians, the larger issue is the relationship between wealth, political power and accountability.
Scripture repeatedly warns about the dangers of placing personal wealth above righteousness and justice. Proverbs 29:4 declares, “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.”
The Bible does not specifically address cryptocurrency or modern presidential ethics. But its warning about leaders, money and accountability remains relevant.
Political power can change hands. Fortunes can rise and fall. But Scripture’s standard for leadership remains the same: justice, integrity and accountability before God.
BOTTOM LINE
The Reuters/Ipsos poll does not prove that Trump’s private businesses are controlling his presidential decisions.
It does show something politically significant: a large majority of Americans believe they are.
And with the 2026 midterms approaching, the question of presidential ethics, cryptocurrency profits and conflicts of interest could become an increasingly important test of public trust.
Related News Watchmen Coverage
Readers following questions surrounding Trump, government accountability and political power may also want to explore related News Watchmen coverage.
- Eric Trump-Backed Defense AI Firm Space-Eyes to Go Public in $638 Million Deal as Counter-Drone Technology Takes Center Stage
- Eric Trump-Backed Humanoid Robot Company Prepares AI-Powered Machines for Future Warfare
- Report Examines Trump Sons’ Growing Investments in Defense Tech as Pentagon Spending Accelerates
- Trump’s Massive Tech Stock Trades Spark Conflict of Interest Concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What did the Reuters/Ipsos poll find about Trump’s business interests?
Sixty-nine percent said they believe his private business interests influence his presidential decisions.
2. How many Americans questioned Trump’s crypto profits?
Sixty-three percent said it was inappropriate for Trump and his family to profit from cryptocurrency ventures.
3. Does the poll prove Trump is violating conflict-of-interest laws?
No. The poll measures public opinion and does not establish a legal violation.
4. How much cryptocurrency-related income did Trump report?
Reuters reported more than $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency-related income during 2025.
5. Could the issue affect the 2026 midterms?
Reuters reported that concerns about Trump’s personal enrichment could become an issue as voters decide control of Congress.
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