PNN – An Atlantic columnist wrote an article stating that Trump has amassed wealth through the abuse of power.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; David Frum, a columnist for The Atlantic, sharply criticized Donald Trump’s conduct, likening his presidency—in terms of corruption and personal wealth accumulation—more to post-Soviet or post-colonial autocracies than to advanced democracies. He wrote that Trump and his family have exploited the office of the presidency to increase their personal wealth on an unprecedented scale.
Fromm believes that Trump will likely not face imprisonment due to the presidential immunity granted by the U.S. Supreme Court; however, this immunity does not necessarily exempt him from civil liability. According to him, assets acquired through bribery, extortion, insider trading, or market manipulation could be pursued and recovered through civil lawsuits.
Lessons from Countries That Recovered Assets Stolen by Corrupt Leaders
The author suggests that the United States should draw upon the experiences of countries such as Nigeria, Peru, and the Philippines—nations that have successfully recovered hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars in assets siphoned abroad by corrupt leaders.
Forum emphasizes that such a process requires the establishment of permanent institutions for investigation and prosecution, effective legal mechanisms, and extensive cooperation with foreign governments and financial institutions. In his view, recovering these assets can take years and may encounter numerous legal and political obstacles.
Wealth: A Tool for Maintaining Power
Fromm has warned that if the Trump family manages to retain the wealth amassed during his time in office, the next generation could enter the political and economic arenas with vastly greater capital. In his view, such wealth is not merely a personal asset; it can become a tool for preserving influence, bolstering political power, and evading accountability.
The columnist ultimately acknowledges that recovering assets derived from corruption is a difficult, costly, and high-risk undertaking; however, he believes that if this process is carried out through transparent legal mechanisms, it can—in addition to recovering the assets—help strengthen accountability and democratic institutions in the United States.