Poll Reveals Most Americans View Trump’s Presidency Profits as Illegal or Unethical

A significant portion of the American public believes President Donald Trump is leveraging the presidency for personal financial gain, according to a new AP-NORC poll released on Tuesday. The survey, which interviewed 2,140 adults between September 24 and 28, indicates that 40% of respondents think the president has engaged in illegal conduct, while an additional 18% consider his actions unethical, though not unlawful.

Furthermore, the data shows a sharp divide in public perception regarding his priorities. A majority of 56% stated that Trump prioritizes his personal business interests “a lot,” whereas only 23% believe he focuses on the country overall. Just 11% feel the president prioritizes people like themselves, while half of those surveyed said he does not prioritize such individuals at all.

Partisan differences were evident in the results. Republicans were more likely than Democrats or Independents to say Trump prioritizes the nation, yet skepticism remains within the party. Only about one in ten Republicans accused the president of illegal activity, with most stating he had done nothing wrong or that they lacked sufficient information to judge.

Raymond La Raja, co-director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll, described the president’s wealth accumulation as unprecedented. He highlighted a half-billion-dollar investment from a business tied to the UAE royal family into Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures last year, which raised conflict-of-interest concerns among watchdogs and lawmakers. According to Trump’s latest financial disclosure filed June 30, he earned over $1.4 billion from these ventures in the prior year.

“It’s really a structural conflict-of-interest that he is regulating policies that directly benefit his family—and it’s also incentivizing not just Americans, but foreign entities, like the United Arab Emirates, to invest in his family’s projects,” La Raja told TIME. “So that’s really worrisome.”

Broader concerns about government integrity were reflected in a separate UMass Amherst poll conducted in August. That survey found 75% of respondents perceived a “great” amount of corruption in the federal government, and 53% ranked the presidency as the most corrupt institution, surpassing the Supreme Court and Congress. Additionally, 54% said it was definitely corrupt for public officials to use their office for personal or familial financial benefit, even if legal.

La Raja noted that tolerance for political corruption often hinges on economic conditions. He pointed out that while voters may overlook unethical behavior during economic booms, dissatisfaction grows when prosperity fails to materialize. This sentiment is reflected in a Financial Times/Focaldata poll showing only 28% approval of Trump’s handling of the economy and jobs. Inflation rose 3.4% in August compared to the previous year, driven partly by tariffs and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The AP-NORC findings emerge less than a month before the midterm elections, where Republicans aim to retain control of Congress. Experts suggest that dissatisfaction with Trump could negatively impact Republican candidates, particularly among independents and suburban voters. Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, noted that voters often judge presidential ethics through a partisan lens, though Trump’s extensive business portfolio has made the issue particularly visible.

While Trump’s team argues he has suffered financially by returning to office, his 2025 financial disclosure reported $2.2 billion in total revenue, a substantial increase from the $622 million reported in 2024. This surge was largely attributed to crypto ventures, including over $550 million from World Liberty Financial token sales. Meanwhile, the Trump Organization continues to expand its international footprint, earning approximately $14 million from deals in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Potential long-term benefits to the president’s businesses may also arise from a proposal to build a presidential retreat on land adjacent to Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The plan, currently under consideration by local officials, would have the private club cover lodging costs and provide government access, potentially maintaining the site as a hub for political elites after Trump leaves office.