Why Government Corruption Has Boomed in Trump’s Second Term
During Trump's second term, government corruption has intensified with minimal backlash, as seen in the selection of his Doral resort for the G20 summit. Unlike in 2019, when public and political resistance forced a retreat on a similar G7 plan, the current administration faces little scrutiny for self-serving decisions. The normalization of unethical behavior, combined with public fatigue and larger competing news, has allowed increasingly brazen acts of profiteering to proceed with little consequence.
- ▪Trump selected his own Trump National Doral resort as the site for the upcoming G20 summit, despite conflicts of interest.
- ▪The decision received significantly less backlash than a similar 2019 plan to host the G7 at one of his properties, which was scrapped due to public pressure.
- ▪Trump has granted clemency to political donors, while his administration approved large payouts to former aides like Michael Flynn and Carter Page.
- ▪Jared Kushner is conducting international business deals in countries where he previously negotiated on behalf of the administration.
- ▪The Trump Organization has secured global business deals that coincide with U.S. foreign policy initiatives, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
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The Atlantic DailyThe Evolution of Trump’s CorruptionThe president is no longer intimidated by backlash. By David A. GrahamCaryn Levy / PGA Tour / GettyApril 28, 2026 ShareSave Listen−1.0x+Seek0:006:32This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.Seven years ago, during a marginally more innocent time, the Trump administration announced plans to hold the 2020 G7 summit at Donald Trump’s resort in Doral, Florida. The backlash was fierce, and somehow the then–Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney’s dismissive attitude—“Get over it”—failed to quell concerns, including among Republicans.
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