Swiss Delegation Gifts Trump Amid Tariff Reductions
Last week, President Trump welcomed a Swiss business delegation to the Oval Office, where significant gifts were exchanged. The delegation presented Trump with an engraved gold bar valued at over $130,000 and a Rolex desk clock. In return, Trump described their meeting as a “job well done” and announced a reduction in tariffs on Swiss imports, lowering them from 39 percent to 15 percent.
Trump’s Growing Wealth and International Deals
Since assuming office, President Trump’s personal net worth has reportedly increased by $3 billion. His family’s businesses continue to thrive, particularly in sectors like cryptocurrency, luxury real estate, and investment dealings in the Middle East. The Trump Organization is reportedly in discussions with Saudi Arabia concerning a government-owned luxury real estate project, raising questions about the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause. In related events, Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House today.
Controversial Legislation and Lobbyist Influence
The recent bill to end the federal government shutdown included a controversial provision permitting senators to sue for $500,000 or more if their phone records were accessed without notification. This could potentially channel millions of taxpayer dollars to eight senators whose records were subpoenaed during the investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Even legislators who supported the bill are now calling for its repeal, prompting what Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) described as “bipartisan outrage.”
The bill also featured language sought by lobbyists, including cuts to food safety regulations designed to prevent contamination and illness. Food industry lobbyists invested millions in the last election cycle to support deregulation efforts. Among those who benefited from this were the campaigns of Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who supported the funding bill.
Economic Implications and Public Awareness
As public service increasingly intertwines with private gain, macroeconomic consequences loom. The cryptocurrency industry, after heavily lobbying Congress, gained federal backing. Now, as David Frum suggests in The Atlantic, the fluctuating values of cryptocurrencies may pose a systemic risk to the economy.
Historically, reform has often followed public scandal, but not consistently. Achieving meaningful change requires heightened public awareness, moving beyond moral condemnation or abstract commitments to the rule of law. Citizens must comprehend how an unfair system affects them directly.
Lessons from the Past Gilded Age Reforms
The Gilded Age eventually gave rise to the Progressive Era, a significant reform movement that swept through all levels of government. This period saw both political parties competing for reform leadership. Key reforms included constitutional amendments for the direct election of U.S. senators, women’s suffrage, and replacing tariffs with the income tax.
Theodore Roosevelt once stated, “Sooner or later, unless there is a readjustment, there will come a riotous, wicked, murderous day of atonement.” While hoping to avoid such extremes, achieving reform requires sustained engagement, creativity, and proactive leadership.
