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- Trump rejects awareness of UAE royal’s $500M plan to secure a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial.
- Documents show $187M from the initial payment was directed to Trump-family-linked entities.
- Legislators question foreign influence due to the firm’s direct association with the president.
US President Donald Trump denied awareness of a reported investment by a senior Abu Dhabi royal in World Liberty Financial, adding distance from a transaction that has drawn scrutiny. The investment reportedly reached hundreds of millions of dollars. The deal has raised questions about foreign involvement in a company linked to the president.
Trump told reporters he did not know about the reported investment. He said his sons handle the company’s operations. He added that his family receives investments from various parties.
The remarks followed a report by The Wall Street Journal. The report stated that Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to acquire a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial. The reported stake was valued at $500 million.
World Liberty Financial Payment Breakdown Detailed
According to the Journal, the investment was made through Aryam Investment 1. The entity is backed by Sheikh Tahnoon. Documents reviewed by the outlet indicated that an initial payment of $250 million was completed.
However, the report stated that $187 million of the initial payment went to Trump family entities. Another $31 million reportedly went to an entity connected to co-founders Zak Folkman and Chase Herro. Moreover, these allocations were described in documents cited by the Journal.
If completed as reported, the structure would make Aryam the largest shareholder in the firm. World Liberty Financial is a US-based crypto venture. It was founded by nine individuals, including Trump and his sons Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Barron Trump.
The Journal report said the investment raised governance concerns. Lawmakers questioned the potential influence of foreign capital. They also highlighted the company’s proximity to the sitting president.
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Sheikh Tahnoon is a senior member of the UAE royal family. He holds several government and commercial roles. His activities include leadership positions in major Abu Dhabi-based companies.
Investment Spurs Debate Over Trump’s Crypto Links
In December, Group 42 received US approval to purchase chips from Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. The approval was granted by the US Department of Commerce. Sheikh Tahnoon chairs the company.
The reported investment has also sparked a debate regarding Trump’s other crypto-related ties. However, Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked that the review process regarding the bank charter application by the firm be halted. She has asked that the process be delayed until Trump sells his shares.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has declined this request. They have stated that the process will go through a standard review process. No political considerations will factor into this review.
According to Bitcoin data, there has been a decline in millionaire wallets. The number of addresses holding a minimum of $1 million in Bitcoin has reduced by 16%. This has happened despite a pro-crypto attitude under the current administration.
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