President Trump publicly intervenes in the DOJ’s antitrust review of Netflix’s $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, stating it ‘could be a problem’ due to market concentration and demanding that CNN be sold. Trump’s intervention follows his …
Donald TrumpNetflixWarner Bros DiscoveryParamountLarry Ellison+2 moreantitrustpolitical-interferencecorruptiondojmedia-consolidation+1 more
President Trump publicly attacks Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar for remaining in the Democratic Party and running for re-election as a Democrat, just days after Trump pardoned Cuellar and his wife from federal bribery and conspiracy charges. Trump’s statements—calling Cuellar’s …
Donald TrumpHenry CuellarDOJpardonsquid-pro-quocorruptioncongressparty-switching+1 more
The Trump administration has dropped, withdrawn, or halted enforcement actions against over 100 corporations in its first year, establishing a systematic pattern of protection for companies that donated to Trump’s inauguration. Regulatory enforcement against financial services fell 37% in the …
Trump AdministrationDepartment of JusticeSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Federal Trade Commission (FTC)corporate-impunityregulatory-captureenforcement-collapsecorruptionpay-to-play
Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released a comprehensive staff report revealing that President Donald Trump and his family earned more than $800 million from cryptocurrency ventures in the first half of 2025 alone, with total crypto holdings valued at up to $11.6 …
Jamie RaskinDonald TrumpTrump OrganizationTrump FamilyPaul Atkins+21 morecryptocurrencycorruptionself-dealingforeign-influenceemoluments+13 more
On November 16, 2025, CBS News’ 60 Minutes aired a major investigative report examining President Trump’s October 23, 2025 pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, revealing extensive financial ties between Zhao’s cryptocurrency empire and the Trump family’s crypto venture. …
CBS News60 MinutesScott PelleyElizabeth OyerLawrence Lessig+5 moremedia-investigationcorruptionpardonscryptocurrencybinance+4 more
On November 3, 2025, President Trump admitted during a CBS “60 Minutes” interview with Norah O’Donnell that he does not know who Changpeng Zhao is—the Binance cryptocurrency founder he pardoned just 11 days earlier on October 23, 2025. When asked why he pardoned Zhao, Trump stated: …
Donald TrumpNorah O'DonnellChangpeng ZhaoCBS News60 Minutes+2 morepardonscorruptioncryptocurrency60-minutesbinance+4 more
Florida officials concealed a $608 million federal funding request for an immigration detention facility nicknamed ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ misleading courts about federal involvement to bypass environmental safeguards and legal challenges. The DeSantis administration’s secrecy …
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a $20 billion rescue package for Argentina’s president Javier Milei, including currency swap agreements, direct peso purchases (only the fourth time since 1996 the U.S. bought another country’s currency), and Treasury bond purchases. The bailout …
Scott BessentDonald TrumpJavier MileiRob CitroneTreasury Departmentcorruptionconflicts-of-interestforeign-policycronyismfinancial-fraud
President Trump signed Executive Order 14351 establishing the ‘Gold Card’ visa program, requiring foreign nationals to make ‘unrestricted gifts’ of $1 million to the Department of Commerce ($2 million if a corporation gives on behalf of an individual) to obtain residency. The …
Donald TrumpWhite HouseDepartment of Commerceexecutive-powerexecutive-ordersimmigrationcorruption
The New York Times revealed that after UAE entity MGX (controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed) invested $2 billion in World Liberty Financial—a cryptocurrency venture co-founded by Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff—the White House approved the UAE’s acquisition of hundreds of thousands of …
Donald TrumpSteve WitkoffDavid SacksSheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al NahyanMGX+2 morecorruptionpay-to-playinstitutional-captureconflicts-of-interestcryptocurrency+2 more
The Securities and Exchange Commission moved to dismiss its civil fraud case against Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola Corporation, following his pardon by President Trump on March 28, 2025. Milton was convicted in October 2022 of securities fraud for misleading investors about Nikola’s …
Trevor MiltonSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Donald TrumpNikola Corporationcorruptionregulatory-capturepay-to-playsecurities-fraudelite-impunity
Bloomberg News published a trove of over 18,000 emails from Jeffrey Epstein’s personal Yahoo account spanning 2002-2022, three years after his death in custody. The authenticated emails, concentrated between 2005-2008 during Epstein’s first criminal investigation, directly contradict …
Jeffrey EpsteinGhislaine MaxwellDonald TrumpBloomberg Newsepstein-connectionssexual-traffickingcorruptionobstructionpolitical-connections+1 more
MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC, raised $177 million in the first half of this year from donors who have exchanged their patronage for access to the president–and, at times, policy outcomes, pardons, and ambassadorships
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
Nicholas Kent, formerly a policy officer at for-profit college association CECU, was sworn in as Under Secretary of Education, signaling potential deregulation and reduced oversight of higher education institutions. The Senate confirmed his nomination with a narrow 50-45 vote, amid concerns about …
Donald TrumpNicholas KentTrump Administrationcorruptionregulatory-captureeducationtrump-administrationfor-profit-colleges
A Starlink satellite internet terminal belonging to Elon Musk’s SpaceX was installed on the White House roof, raising immediate concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities and unprecedented conflicts of interest. The installation gives Musk’s company direct communication infrastructure …
Trump pardoned reality TV couple Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted in 2022 for defrauding banks of over $30 million and evading federal taxes, after their daughter—an RNC speaker and Trump supporter—lobbied for their clemency
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcorruptionpardongovernment-contracts
President Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, former Culpeper County Sheriff, who was convicted of accepting $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing wealthy businessmen as unpaid auxiliary deputies. Trump claimed Jenkins was a victim of an ‘overzealous Biden Department of Justice’.
Donald TrumpScott JenkinsJason Miyarescorruptionpardonlaw-enforcementkleptocratic-capture
The Trump Administration officially accepted a Boeing 747-8 luxury jetliner valued at approximately $400-500 million from the government of Qatar on May 21, 2025, to serve as a new Air Force One presidential aircraft. The acceptance of what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized as …
Donald TrumpQatarSheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al ThaniChuck SchumerPam Bondi+9 moreemolumentsbriberycorruptionforeign-influencenational-security+9 more
Vietnam approved a Trump Organization plan to invest $1.5 billion in golf courses, hotels, and other real estate projects in the country as it negotiates tariff rates with the Trump administration
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
Warren Stephens’s, the US ambassador to the UK, family-owned investment firm holds at least $250 million worth of stock in agricultural and food companies that will benefit from the US-UK trade deal Trump announced this week
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
Qatar gave Donald Trump a $400 million Boeing 747 as a replacement for Air Force One, which Trump plans to keep as part of his presidential library after leaving office. The gift was certified as legal by Attorney General Pam Bondi, herself a former lobbyist for Qatar.
Donald TrumpQatarPam Bondipam-bondicorruptionqatarkleptocracyair-force-one+1 more
Trump is using his super PAC, which has raised more than $400 million, to consolidate even more control over the Republican party–stocking congressional Republican special interest groups with loyalists
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
Large institutional investors have increased their stakes in Trump Media to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, despite the firm posting massive losses in 2024, in a possible attempt to curry favor with the president
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
Paramount’s board–which is pursuing a merger deal with Skydance that would need DOJ’s signoff–cleared the path to settle Trump’s lawsuit that accuses 60 Minutes of “deceptively” editing its pre-election interview with Kamala Harris
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
The Department of Justice announced a strategic realignment of white-collar crime enforcement, introducing a new framework with 10 targeted priority areas. While not a complete reduction, the policy involves resource constraints, shifting investigative focus, and implementing more efficient …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationMatthew GaleottiJames McHenry IIIcryptocorruptionforeign-influencejustice-weaponizationcorporate-crime+4 more
ICE terminated a $72.9 million no-bid contract with Universal Strategic Advisors after competitor protests exposed “improper influence” in securing the deal. The company’s executives, Brian DeMore and David Marin, were previously sued for fabricating criminal evidence while at DHS. …
Former Democratic donor and Silicon Valley investor Chamath Palihapitiya bragged on a podcast that his donations to Trump now grant him direct access to top White House officials, including the deputy chief of staff, citing a recent call made on behalf of a friend affected by tariffs
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationkleptocracycorruption
Hours before announcing a 90-day tariff pause that sent markets soaring, Trump posted “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT” on Truth Social; the S&P 500 jumped 9.5%, with Trump Media stock skyrocketing 22.7%, netting Trump—via his 53% stake—over $400 million in a day
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationcorruptionkleptocracy
The Trump administration pressured nine major law firms to provide $940 million worth of free legal services to defend administration policies and officials. Under threat of losing federal contracts and being blacklisted, firms like Paul Weiss, Kirkland & Ellis, and Skadden agreed to …
Trump AdministrationMajor law firmsPaul WeissKirkland & EllisLatham & Watkins+6 morelegal-extortionlaw-firmscorruptionpro-bono-coerciongovernment-contracts+1 more
President Trump fired 18 Inspectors General across multiple federal agencies in an unprecedented purge of government oversight officials. The mass firing included Robert Storch (Defense), Michael Missal (Veterans Affairs), Hannibal “Mike” Ware (Small Business Administration), and Mark …
Donald TrumpRobert StorchMichael MissalHannibal WareMark Lee Greenblatt+1 morecorruptionbipartisan-oppositionrule-of-lawoversight-captureinspector-general+4 more
Trump launched a cryptocurrency memecoin right before his inauguration to make millions of dollars, then increased the value of those coins by signing executive orders making crypto a priority. He also launched a meme coin for Melania Trump.
Donald TrumpMelania Trumptrump-memecoincorruptiontrump-coinfinancial-conflictsmarket-manipulation+11 more
Trump’s 2025 inauguration raised a record-shattering $245 million, with at least $161 million coming from corporations—many facing active federal antitrust investigations or regulatory scrutiny. The donations represent a nearly 2.5x increase over Trump’s 2017 inauguration ($107 million) …
Donald TrumpTrump Inaugural CommitteeAmazonMetaGoogle+3 morepay-to-playcorruptioncorporate-influencequid-pro-quoinauguration
Ten days before his inauguration, Donald Trump was sentenced in the New York hush money case to an “unconditional discharge”—meaning he faces zero jail time, no fine, no probation, and no restrictions whatsoever despite being convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. …
Donald TrumpJuan MerchanNew York State Courtselite-impunitytwo-tier-justicecorruptionrule-of-law
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) claws back R1.1 billion (approximately $73 million) from McKinsey & Company and its subsidiary McKinsey South Africa through a Corporate Alternative Dispute Resolution process, representing a final settlement of the state capture scandal. …
McKinsey & CompanySouth Africa National Prosecuting AuthorityU.S. Department of JusticeMcKinsey South AfricaEskom+1 moremckinseysouth-africastate-capturecorruptionsettlement+3 more
McKinsey Africa enters into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, agreeing to pay more than $122 million (approximately R2.2 billion) to resolve criminal charges for conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The …
McKinsey AfricaU.S. Department of JusticeVikas SagarSouth African National Prosecuting AuthorityTransnet+1 moremckinseysouth-africastate-capturebriberycorruption+5 more
On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Purdue Pharma’s $6 billion bankruptcy settlement that would have granted the Sackler family—who extracted over $10 billion from Purdue while the company fueled the opioid epidemic—broad immunity from all current and future civil lawsuits. The …
U.S. Supreme CourtSackler FamilyPurdue PharmaDepartment of Justiceopioid-crisispharmaceutical-industrycorruptionregulatory-captureaccountability-failure+1 more
Manhattan jury found former NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre liable for $5.4 million in damages ($4.4M after partial repayment) and the NRA organization liable for failing to properly manage nonprofit assets from 2014-2022. The six-week trial revealed LaPierre’s systematic misuse of charitable funds …
Wayne LaPierreNRAWilson "Woody" PhillipsJohn FrazerLetitia Jamescorruptionnonprofit-fraudself-dealinginstitutional-capture
Northrop Grumman spent $10.86 million on federal lobbying in 2023, employing 36 lobbyists of whom 29—a staggering 80.6 percent—had previously worked in government positions, exemplifying the revolving door between the Pentagon, Congress, and defense contractors that enables systematic corruption of …
Binance Holdings Limited, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Bank Secrecy Act, failure to register as a money transmitting business, and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in the largest corporate criminal penalty in …
Changpeng ZhaoBinanceDepartment of JusticeMerrick GarlandLisa Monaco+5 morecryptoregulatory-capturemoney-launderingfraudsanctions-violations+4 more
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists releases its Cyprus Confidential investigation exposing Wyoming as America’s premier secrecy jurisdiction, having overtaken Delaware for the most corporate registrations per capita. Analysis by corporate data firm OpenCorporates shows …
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)ConnectedSkyWyoming LegislatureOpenCorporatesTransparency Internationalwyomingtax-havenmoney-launderingllcshell-companies+5 more
A federal jury convicts Sam Bankman-Fried on all seven criminal counts including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in what federal prosecutors describe as ‘one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.’ The conviction follows a …
Sam Bankman-FriedFTXAlameda ResearchU.S. Department of JusticeCaroline Ellison+1 morecorruptionfraudregulatory-capturetechcryptocurrency+3 more
Rick Singer, mastermind of the $25 million Varsity Blues college admissions fraud scheme, received 3.5 years in prison despite prosecutors requesting 6 years. Singer pleaded guilty in March 2019 to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the US, and obstruction of justice. …
Rick SingerFederal Prosecutorsfraudcorruptioneducationinstitutional-captureminimal-accountability
Sam Bankman-Fried is arrested in the Bahamas at the request of U.S. prosecutors and charged with eight criminal counts including wire fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud, money laundering, and campaign finance law violations. The indictment alleges Bankman-Fried orchestrated a scheme to …
Sam Bankman-FriedFTXU.S. Department of JusticeSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)CFTC+1 morecorruptionfraudregulatory-capturetechcryptocurrency+3 more
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila sentences Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes to 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in federal prison plus three years supervised release for defrauding investors of over $140 million. Holmes is ordered to surrender on April 27, 2023 to begin serving her sentence. …
Elizabeth HolmesEdward DavilaU.S. Department of JusticeTheranosFDA+1 morecorruptionfraudregulatory-capturetechhealthcare+3 more
FTX cryptocurrency exchange, Alameda Research, and over 100 affiliated entities file for bankruptcy following the exposure of systematic fraud by founder Sam Bankman-Fried. The collapse was triggered on November 2 when CoinDesk revealed that Alameda Research—FTX’s affiliated trading firm owned …
Sam Bankman-FriedFTXAlameda ResearchChangpeng ZhaoBinance+2 morecorruptionfraudregulatory-capturetechcryptocurrency+3 more
A federal jury convicts Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes on one count of conspiracy to commit investor fraud and three counts of wire fraud involving over $140 million in investments. The conviction follows a nearly four-month trial where prosecutors presented testimony from 29 witnesses …
Elizabeth HolmesTheranosU.S. Department of JusticeSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)FDAcorruptionfraudregulatory-capturetechhealthcare+3 more
In November 2021, the senior leadership of In-Q-Tel—CEO Christopher Darby, President Stephen Bowsher, and technology investor Michael Rolnick—filed for an initial public offering for Chain Bridge I, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) seeking to raise $200 million. The blank check company …
Christopher DarbyStephen BowsherMichael MorellJeremy BashAlex Younger+2 morein-q-telciarevolving-doorcorruptionspac+2 more
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the Pandora Papers, the largest offshore data leak in history, containing 11.9 million files from 14 financial services companies across multiple jurisdictions. The investigation exposed the secret offshore affairs of 35 …
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)King Abdullah II of JordanAndrej BabišSebastián PiñeraVolodymyr Zelensky+3 morecorruptionoffshore-financetax-avoidancepandora-paperskleptocracy+2 more