It’s not every day you hear about someone eating a $6.2 million banana, but for Justin Sun, Chinese crypto mogul and master of spectacle, it was just the appetizer. Shortly after his infamous art-world stunt, Sun made headlines again by injecting $30 million into the struggling cryptocurrency firm World Liberty Financial. The move raised eyebrows not only because of the company’s lackluster performance but also because it was tied to a surprising name: Donald Trump.

World Liberty Financial had been on shaky ground since its October launch. Investors were hesitant, wary of its terms and viability. But Sun’s investment was more than just a financial lifeline—it nudged the company past a key threshold that allowed Trump, through a promotional partnership, to begin reaping profits. The former president and his family now stand to collect up to $20 million, if not more, from the deal.

For Sun, currently battling fraud charges in the U.S., the investment sparked questions. What drew him to a firm whose tokens can’t even be traded? Sun has yet to respond, but the episode has reignited concerns about Trump’s sprawling business empire—and the ethical quagmire it presents.

Trump’s Expanding Web of Influence

This is hardly the first time Trump’s business dealings have raised alarms. During his presidency, his Washington D.C. hotel became a hotspot for lobbyists, foreign diplomats, and political allies—earning him accusations of violating constitutional bans on foreign emoluments. Now, with Trump’s empire expanding into cryptocurrency, social media, and even a Saudi-backed golf league, ethics experts say the opportunities for influence-peddling have grown exponentially.

Michael Ohlrogge, a law professor at NYU, notes that the rise of Trump Media, valued at over $7 billion and central to his $6 billion fortune, creates new avenues for financial gain. On Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, for instance, foreign governments or businesses could quietly boost the platform’s stock price by purchasing ads or generating buzz. Even small investments in such ventures could yield outsized profits for Trump, who retains a majority stake in the company.

“The scale and ease of these potential conflicts have increased dramatically,” Ohlrogge said. “You can only book so many hotel rooms, but stock markets amplify even minor financial moves.”

Crypto and the White House

Nowhere is the intersection of Trump’s business interests and public influence more glaring than in cryptocurrency. Once dismissive of crypto, Trump has recently become a vocal advocate. His proposals, which include deregulating the crypto market and creating a national Bitcoin reserve, could profoundly shape the industry—and his own bottom line.

Trump’s deepening involvement in crypto raises serious concerns. Virginia Canter, chief ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, warns that his dual roles as an industry player and policymaker create the perfect storm for conflicts of interest. “How crypto is regulated could directly affect his wealth,” she explained.

While some, like Bitcoin advocate Nik Bhatia, argue that Trump’s pro-crypto stance reflects broader voter sentiment rather than personal gain, the potential for ethical pitfalls is undeniable. “There’s no question his position benefits his company,” Bhatia admitted.

The Big Picture

As Trump positions himself for a potential White House return, the questions about his business dealings grow louder. His team has dismissed ethical concerns, framing Trump as a selfless leader who set aside a multi-billion-dollar empire to serve the American people. But critics argue that the lack of safeguards against conflicts of interest—and Trump’s apparent disinterest in addressing them—pose significant risks to the integrity of U.S. governance.

From $6.2 million bananas to $30 million crypto gambles, Trump’s tangled web of business ventures shows no sign of untangling. And for those watching, the stakes have never been higher. Whether in the realm of art, finance, or politics, one thing is clear: where Trump and his allies are concerned, money and influence are never far apart.