Trump downplays $500M Abu Dhabi-linked stake in World Liberty Financial
Trump says he knew nothing of a $500M Abu Dhabi-linked deal for World Liberty Financial, as critics probe conflicts of interest and ethics risks.
Summary
- Trump says World Liberty Financial is run by his sons and he has no role in its $500M Abu Dhabi-linked funding deal.
- A Wall Street Journal report says Aryam Investment 1, tied to UAE security chief Sheikh Tahnoon, bought 49% of WLFI days before Trump’s inauguration.
- Lawmakers led by Sen. Warren call the deal corrupt and question whether Emirati ties influenced AI chip export policy, while the White House rejects any conflict.
Former President Donald Trump denied knowledge of a reported $500 million investment from an Abu Dhabi-linked entity in World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency platform associated with his family, according to statements made to reporters on February 2, 2026.
Trump stated that the crypto project operates independently under the management of his sons and that he remains uninvolved in operational and financial decisions regarding World Liberty Financial, commonly referred to as WLFI. The former president said his family handles business matters while he focuses on presidential duties.
World Liberty Financial and UAE National Security advisor investment under scrutiny
The Wall Street Journal first reported the investment, identifying the investor as Aryam Investment 1, an Abu Dhabi-based company reportedly backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE National Security Advisor. According to the report, the entity acquired a 49% equity stake in WLFI through an agreement signed on January 16, 2025, four days before Trump’s second inauguration.
The reported deal included a $500 million commitment that allegedly closed days before the inauguration, the Journal reported. Financial allocations detailed in the report indicated approximately $187 million was paid to Trump family-controlled entities, with an estimated $31 million directed to entities associated with co-founder Steve Witkoff.
The timing of the transaction has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers, who have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and called for further investigation. Senator Elizabeth Warren characterized the reported deal as corruption-related and noted that the UAE subsequently received approval to purchase advanced Nvidia AI chips, representing a reversal of previous policies. Critics have questioned whether financial ties influenced foreign policy decisions, though no direct evidence has been made public.
A White House spokesman dismissed allegations of improper influence, stating that no conflicts of interest exist and that decisions are made in the interests of the American people. The spokesman emphasized that existing ethics frameworks remain in place and that Trump does not engage in family business management.
Questions regarding the separation between Trump’s official duties and family business operations continue to generate scrutiny as observers seek clarity on governance structures surrounding WLFI and related ventures.
