In a move that has captured the attention of international observers, Donald Trump Jr., the son of the American president, made a discreet but high-stakes visit to Gibraltar, a tiny British territory known as a haven for the ultra-rich. The visit, marked by a convoy of blacked-out BMWs and armed police, underscores a significant shift in the Trump family's approach to business during a presidential term.

This trip is more than a simple business meeting; it represents a worldwide money-making campaign that critics argue creates unprecedented conflicts of interest. While the Trump family ceased foreign commercial deals during the first term, they have abandoned that commitment this time around, pursuing ventures from the Balkans to Vietnam. For Kenyans, who watch the dance of global power and its economic ripple effects, this aggressive blurring of public office and personal gain is a familiar, and often troubling, theme.

A Lucrative Crossroads of Interests

Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, has cultivated a reputation as a premier international financial hub, offering political stability, low corporate taxes, and a legal system based on English law. It is in this environment that Trump Jr. held meetings at the offices of Hassans, a prominent law firm. Sources briefed on the visit indicated the purpose was to pitch investment opportunities to a select, wealthy audience, including figures from the cryptocurrency sector, an industry for which Gibraltar has become a regulatory pioneer.

The visit's timing and attendees raise specific questions. Among those present during Trump Jr.'s time at the law firm were Gibraltar's chief minister, Fabian Picardo, and a representative for Konstantin Sokolov. Sokolov, a Russian-born US businessman, is not only a donor to the US president's controversial new $300 million (approx. KES 39 billion) White House ballroom but is also the lead investor behind a new £1.8 billion AI data centre in Gibraltar.

The 'Patriotic Capitalism' Pitch

At the heart of the Gibraltar meetings was a pitch for funds, including a “patriotic capitalism” fund called 1789 Capital, which Trump Jr. joined as a partner shortly after his father's 2024 election victory. The fund, seen as the financial arm of the MAGA movement, has reportedly grown its assets to over $1 billion by investing in sectors like military AI and e-cigarettes. This aggressive fundraising highlights a stark reality: the business of the Trump family is thriving, with their income ballooning since returning to the White House.

While the White House has firmly stated that “Neither the president nor his family have ever engaged, or will ever engage, in conflicts of interest,” ethics watchdogs are alarmed. They point to a pattern where the presidency provides a unique platform to promote Trump-branded properties and business interests, potentially allowing foreign actors to seek influence through financial dealings. A report from the House Oversight Committee noted that during his first term, Trump's businesses received at least $7.8 million from 20 foreign governments, a figure that likely represents only a fraction of the total.

As the lines between the Trump Organization's global ventures and US foreign policy become increasingly difficult to distinguish, the international community, including nations like Kenya, is left to navigate a new and unpredictable landscape of power and influence. The key question remains unanswered: when the president's family is seeking investment, who are they truly serving?