Trump’s Digital Fortune: From Real Estate Mogul to Crypto and NFT Millionaire
Former President Donald Trump, known for his billion-dollar fortune in real estate, is now tapping into the digital asset world, including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), according to a new financial disclosure form.
Trump, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $4.5 billion, reported earning $7.2 million from an NFT licensing deal and has invested between $1 million and $5 million in a “virtual ethereum key.” This marks a notable shift for Trump, who once called digital currencies a “scam” but has recently embraced them, even pledging to turn America into a “bitcoin-mining powerhouse” during his 2024 presidential campaign.
The disclosure also reveals Trump’s earnings from several book sales, including $300,000 in royalties from a $59.99 Bible he endorsed with singer Lee Greenwood. Additionally, he earned $4.5 million from “Letters to Trump,” a 2023 collection of correspondence from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey. Other sources of income include royalties from his older ventures, such as the reality show “The Apprentice” and his 1987 book “The Art of the Deal,” along with a $90,000 annual pension from the Screen Actors Guild.
On the asset side, Trump holds investments in stocks, index funds, and bonds, including U.S. Treasuries. He also has at least $100,000 in gold bars. His properties continue to contribute significantly to his wealth, with his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida generating nearly $57 million in the past year.
Trump’s financial liabilities include mortgages on properties like Trump Tower in Manhattan and significant debts related to legal judgments. He is currently appealing three judgments totaling over $500 million, including $88.3 million for two cases involving sexual abuse and defamation and more than $450 million in a New York State fraud case. Trump has pledged millions in bonds for these cases.
In addition to his financial activities, Trump has sought to strengthen his ties with Silicon Valley during his campaign by choosing Senator JD Vance, a former venture capitalist, as his vice presidential running mate.
Key sources of income and assets reported by Trump include:
Income:
$300,000 in royalties from the Trump-branded Greenwood Bible
$4.5 million in royalties from the 2023 book “Letters to Trump”
$505,763 in royalties for “A MAGA Journey”
$100,001 to $1 million in royalties from “The Apprentice”
$50,001 to $100,000 in royalties for “The Art of the Deal”
$90,776 in pension income from the Screen Actors Guild
$7.2 million in licensing fees from NFT INT LLC
Assets:
Cryptocurrency wallet, virtual ethereum key: $1 million to $5 million
Gold bars valued between $100,001 and $250,000
