Trump family reports $1 billion crypto earnings; Vatican excommunicates SSPX bishops; Venezuela quake death toll rises; U.S. wins World Cup knockout match
A recent ethics filing shows Donald Trump and his family earned over $1 billion last year, largely from cryptocurrency ventures. The Vatican declared the Society of St. Pius X in schism, while Venezuela’s earthquake death toll reached 2,295. The U.S. men’s soccer team advanced to the World Cup round of 16.
A 927-page financial disclosure filed with the Office of Government Ethics indicates Donald Trump and his family generated more than $1 billion in 2023, with over $500 million coming from the cryptocurrency firm World Liberty Financial, which they co-founded. Sales of meme-style coins featuring Trump’s likeness accounted for about $600 million, and additional income derived from settlements with media companies and sales of Trump-branded products such as Bibles, sneakers and watches. The White House said there were no conflicts of interest and spokesperson Anna Kelly praised the earnings as making the United States “the crypto capital of the world.”
“The president’s financial activities do not present a conflict of interest,” the White House statement read.
Senators and representatives criticized the earnings, with Senator Adam Schiff suggesting the president earned more in his current term than in his lifetime, and Representative Jason Crow calling the cryptocurrency profits an example of “grift and corruption.”
The Vatican announced the formal excommunication of bishops and priests belonging to the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), stating the group had entered schism by consecrating four bishops without papal approval. Rev. Davide Pagliarani, head of the SSPX, described the consecrations as an act of service rather than rebellion. The Vatican’s action underscores the ongoing tension between the traditionalist group, which celebrates the Latin Mass, and the Holy See.
In Venezuela, the death toll from the recent double earthquakes rose to 2,295, with more than 11,200 injured, according to National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez. Satellite analysis by researchers at Oregon State University estimated that nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration warned that up to 6.8 million people may need humanitarian assistance.
The U.S. men’s national soccer team defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, securing its first World Cup knockout-stage victory since 2002 and advancing to face Belgium on July 6. Forward Folarin Balogun was suspended for a red-card offense, though he had scored three goals in three tournament matches.
“The United States has a good chance against Belgium, even without Balogun,” a soccer analyst said.
These developments were highlighted in the latest edition of the Up First newsletter.
