Penny Gross

The disclosure last week that Donald Trump’s family increased its wealth by $1.4 billion in 2025, largely through the dubious cryptocurrency market, was stunning in its dollar amount, but not surprising in actuality. Trump is all about deals and his transactional approach always benefits his own pocket rather than the American people. Example one: he took his first flight on the “new” Air Force One the same week his financial disclosure was filed.

As president, Dwight Eisenhower refused to use his position as a world leader to disparage another person publicly. Ike wasn’t simply being midwestern nice; he knew that any comment from the President could damage another person’s reputation or livelihood, and that was a power he would not exercise. His steadfast position caused dismay for many advisors when he declined to condemn Senator Joseph McCarthy for his tactics during the “red scare” of the 1950s.

In a town where cover-ups have spelled the end of many political careers, Trump Administration cronies brag that they are the most transparent White House in history. If transparency means you can see right through Mr. Trump and his minions, transparency may be the correct term. They’ve made no attempt to hide the selling of White House access to enrich the Trump family and their wealthy pals.