In a recent development, former US President Donald Trump has publicly denied any knowledge of a reported $500 million investment from Abu Dhabi linked to his family”s cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial (WLFI). This denial comes amid escalating scrutiny regarding the investment”s timing and potential governance implications.
During a press conference on February 2, 2026, Trump stated he was unaware of any such investment, emphasizing that the management of WLFI is under the purview of his sons. “I don”t know about it. My sons are handling that, I guess they get investments from people,” Trump remarked, distancing himself from the project”s operational decisions.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the substantial investment, which allegedly involves a major stake purchased by an Abu Dhabi royal. According to the report, the financial arrangement was finalized just days before Trump”s second inauguration, raising eyebrows among political analysts and lawmakers.
The investment is attributed to Aryam Investment 1, a company based in Abu Dhabi, reportedly backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who serves as the UAE National Security Advisor. The deal purportedly included a 49% equity stake in WLFI, with the agreement signed on January 16, 2025. Financial details suggest that approximately $187 million was paid upfront to entities controlled by the Trump family, alongside an additional $31 million allocated to interests associated with co-founder Steve Witkoff.
Concerns have been voiced by various US lawmakers regarding the deal”s timing and the potential for conflicts of interest. Senator Elizabeth Warren has labeled the investment as indicative of corruption, particularly noting how it coincided with favorable policy changes towards the UAE, such as the approval for purchasing advanced Nvidia AI chips.
Despite these allegations, Trump maintains that he remains focused on his presidential duties and is not involved in the daily operations of WLFI. He indicated that familial business matters are handled separately from his political responsibilities. This distinction has not quelled debates regarding transparency and ethical governance.
As the administration faces mounting criticism, a White House spokesperson reiterated the absence of any conflicts of interest. The spokesperson asserted that the decisions made are always in the best interest of the American public, downplaying any allegations of improper influence from foreign investments.
As the situation unfolds, the intersection of cryptocurrency investments and political governance continues to attract significant attention, raising questions about the ethical implications of such financial arrangements in the political arena.
