Trump Family Profits from Crypto Boom While Vatican Targets Dissent; Venezuelan Disaster Deepens; U.S. Soccer Advances
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A recent ethics filing exposes the Trump family’s staggering $1 billion profit, largely from speculative cryptocurrency schemes and self-promotion. The Vatican cracks down on traditionalist dissent, while Venezuela reels from a catastrophic earthquake. Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s soccer team moves forward in the World Cup.
A 927-page financial disclosure filed with the Office of Government Ethics reveals the Trump family’s relentless pursuit of profit, generating over $1 billion in 2023. More than $500 million came from their cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, a firm they co-founded to capitalize on the unregulated and volatile crypto market. An astonishing $600 million was made from meme-style coins exploiting Trump’s image, while further income flowed from settlements with media companies and the relentless marketing of Trump-branded Bibles, sneakers, and watches. Despite clear ethical concerns, the White House, prioritizing corporate interests over public accountability, claimed there were no conflicts of interest. Spokesperson Anna Kelly went so far as to praise these earnings as making the U.S. 'the crypto capital of the world,' ignoring the risks and inequalities fueled by such speculation.
'The president’s financial activities do not present a conflict of interest,' the White House statement read, dismissing legitimate concerns.
Progressive lawmakers condemned the Trump family’s windfall. Senator Adam Schiff highlighted the unprecedented scale of profiteering, suggesting Trump has earned more in office than in his entire previous life. Representative Jason Crow called out the cryptocurrency profits as yet another example of 'grift and corruption' at the highest levels of government.
Meanwhile, the Vatican, in a display of authoritarian control, announced the formal excommunication of bishops and priests of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). The group was punished for consecrating bishops without papal approval, a move the Vatican labeled as schismatic. Rev. Davide Pagliarani, SSPX head, defended the act as service, not rebellion, highlighting the ongoing repression of traditionalist voices within the Church. The Vatican’s action underscores the institution’s resistance to diversity and internal dissent, especially among those who celebrate the Latin Mass.
In Venezuela, the human cost of disaster continues to rise. The death toll from the recent double earthquakes has reached 2,295, with over 11,200 injured, according to National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez. Satellite analysis by Oregon State University researchers estimated nearly 59,000 buildings damaged or destroyed, while the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration warned that up to 6.8 million people may require humanitarian aid. The tragedy exposes the vulnerability of marginalized communities and the urgent need for global solidarity.
On the sports front, the U.S. men’s national soccer team defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, marking its first World Cup knockout-stage victory since 2002 and advancing to face Belgium on July 6. Forward Folarin Balogun, suspended for a red-card offense after scoring three goals in three matches, will miss the next game.
'The United States has a good chance against Belgium, even without Balogun,' a soccer analyst said, as the team’s success offers a rare moment of unity amid ongoing social and political turmoil.
These stories were featured in the latest Up First newsletter.
