Trump’s real-estate licensing income in foreign countries nearly doubled — and now features Qatar and Romania

July 3, 2026 - 02:23

President Donald Trump's income from licensing his name to real estate projects in foreign countries has nearly doubled, according to a new analysis, with fresh deals emerging in Qatar and Romania. The revelation has drawn sharp criticism from ethics watchdogs, who say the expansion raises serious questions about conflicts of interest while Trump holds office.

One ethics watchdog group stated it has "grave concerns about the president doing business in foreign countries," pointing to the potential for foreign governments or entities to influence U.S. policy through real estate transactions. The group noted that the new licensing agreements in Qatar and Romania mark a significant shift in the geographic spread of Trump's business interests overseas.

The income jump comes from licensing deals where Trump allows developers to use his name on hotels, towers, and other properties in exchange for fees. These deals do not require Trump to put up his own capital, but they tie his personal financial success to the approval and goodwill of foreign governments. Critics argue this creates an unprecedented ethical minefield, as foreign officials could choose to do business with the Trump Organization to curry favor with the administration.

The White House has previously defended the president's business arrangements, stating that Trump has turned over day-to-day management of his company to his sons. However, watchdogs counter that the president still benefits financially from these foreign deals, and that the lack of transparency around the specific terms and parties involved makes it impossible to know if any conflicts have arisen.