Trump crypto, Trump ballroom and Trump drones

What do a Florida-based drone company, a crypto billionaire, and a European steelmaker have in common? Ties to President Trump. Since returning to office, the president, as well as his family and friends, have inked a number of business deals that raise questions about conflicts of interest. On today’s show, we scrutinize three of these deals. <br /><br />The Indicator has a weekly newsletter! Sign up now: <a href="http://npr.org/newsletter/indicator" target="_blank">npr.org/indicatornewsletter</a> <br /><br /><strong>Related: <br /></strong><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/1253616093/trump-coin-stablecoin-tether" target="_blank">Trump’s crypto interests</a>  <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/17/1254291430/vietnam-trump-organization-golf-resort-deal-trade-war" target="_blank">Mixing family business with US trade policy in Vietnam</a> <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/05/1253689629/trump-second-term-echoes-gilded-age" target="_blank">Gilded Age 2.0?</a>  <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/22/1197961300/tensions-us-steel-japan-nippon-sale" target="_blank">The tensions behind the sale of U.S. Steel</a> <br /><em><br />For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/" target="_blank"><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>.</em> <em>Fact-checking by </em><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez" target="_blank"><em>Sierra Juarez</em></a><em>. </em><em>Music by </em><a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><em>Drop Electric</em></a><em>. Find us: </em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>TikTok</em></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/" target="_blank"><em>Instagram</em></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a>, <a href="http://npr.org/indicatornewsletter" target="_blank"><em>Newsletter</em></a><em>. </em> <br /><br />See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>