Trump’s Bond Investment Record Rises Sharply in New Disclosures
Former US President Donald Trump expanded his bond investment record from late August to early October. New disclosures revealed significant activity across corporate and municipal markets. These filings offered a closer look at his growing interest in sectors influenced by his policies.
The US Office of Government Ethics released the forms on Saturday. They showed more than 175 financial purchases made between August 28 and October 2. The reports listed broad ranges instead of exact amounts, yet the maximum value exceeded $337 million.
Where the Money Went
A large share of the listed assets came from bonds issued by public bodies. These included states, counties, school districts, municipalities, and other agencies. The spread of purchases suggested a wide focus instead of a single targeted approach.
Trump’s new positions stretched across industries shaped by recent policy shifts. For example, financial deregulation boosted areas that later appeared in his portfolio. In addition, several corporate bonds belonged to major chipmakers such as Broadcom and Qualcomm. Tech giants like Meta Platforms also appeared on the list.
Retail names made the cut too. Home Depot and CVS Health joined the portfolio alongside major Wall Street banks. Purchases included offerings from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Filings also mentioned JP Morgan bonds acquired in late August.
However, this move came just one day before Trump urged the US Justice Department to investigate JP Morgan. He referenced the bank’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The bank expressed regret over those ties and denied aiding any criminal behaviour.
Trump also added Intel bonds to his holdings. This followed a government decision, made under his direction, to buy a stake in the company. The White House offered no immediate comment on the disclosures.
Oversight Questions Remain
The administration has stated that Trump continues to file required disclosures. Officials also said he does not run his portfolio directly. A third party financial institution handles the management process. Trump previously said he placed his companies into a trust run by his children.
A separate disclosure filed in August showed more than $100 million in bond purchases since he returned to office. His annual June filing also revealed income flowing from several business areas. These included licensing deals, crypto assets, golf properties, and other ventures.
Reuters data from the same filing estimated his total assets at a minimum of $1.6 billion. Analysts said this raised fresh questions about oversight and potential conflicts, especially as his wealth continued to grow.
