Arabic version: خطة ترامب لإتاحة منشورات التواصل الاجتماعي تثير انتقادات جمهورية

According to ABC News, Donald Trump’s 2025 filings indicate he made more than $US2.2 billion ($3.11 billion) through ventures ostensibly run by his family. The US president’s company, Trump Media and Technology Group, announced plans a fortnight ago to sell early access to his social media posts for as much as $US100,000 a month.

The proposal has drawn criticism from Republican senators. Lisa Murkowski called it “wild” and said the presidency should not be used to accumulate personal wealth, citing the ability to move markets by advancing information. Bill Cassidy said it was “wrong” and “a form of buying access”, while Susan Collins said it did not sound appropriate.

ABC News reported that about half a dozen firms are believed to have joined the plan, though their identities have not been disclosed. Trump Media and Technology Group spokespeople said the information is public and that other social media operations offer similar services. However, subscribers would receive messages a fraction of a second before the rest of the world.

The report said the distinction could matter in high-frequency trading, where computers use algorithms and artificial intelligence and every nanosecond counts. Trump owns 41 per cent of the company releasing the information, while Donald Trump Jr controls Trump Media and Technology Group through a trust. Trump has said he has no control over his private companies.

Questions over trading linked to presidential statements have also intensified after a large oil futures trade on March 23, shortly before Trump posted on Truth Social about conversations with Tehran. The identities of those behind the trading remain unknown. Separately, ABC News said an agreement finalised by acting Justice Department head Todd Blanche prevents Trump and extended family members from being audited or examined by the Internal Revenue Service for years up to May.