- HRW accuses Israel of 'war crime' with 'forcible transfer' in Gaza
- 'Interior Chinatown' satirizes Asian roles in Hollywood... and beyond screen
- Wembanyama hits another milestone with 50-point game for Spurs
- Live-streamed prayers for stressed S. Korean exam parents
- Scientists say world's largest coral found near Solomon Islands
- Sculptor Gormley hopes art can be bridge to China despite curbs
- UN nuclear chief in Iran to 'reach diplomatic solutions'
- Israel face France in Paris football match under tight security
- Beijing's fears after Trump fills key posts with China hawks
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil's Supreme Court
- South Korea exam sees record number of re-takes after medical reforms
- Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000
- Pumas seek historic win over 'hurt' Irish
- Advantage Martin as MotoGP reaches gripping climax in Barcelona
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil Supreme Court
- Mike Tyson, 58, back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight
- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru ahead of face-to-face at Asia-Pacific summit
- Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches $4.8 mn in Geneva auction
- Lawmakers clash, protesters arrested in wake of Amsterdam violence
- Global diabetes rate has doubled in last 30 years: study
- Six Israeli troops killed, deadly strikes in Lebanon
- US envoy says Mexico's 'hugs not bullets' strategy failed
- Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women's Champions League
- Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account, Ruud misses last four chance
- Another clean sheet for Onana as E. Guinea, I. Coast qualify
- From 'Little Marco' to 'Mr Secretary': Rubio shows Trump China push
- Sri Lanka president eyes parliament win in snap election
- Spain flood epicentre braces for fresh deluge
- New York drought conditions fan flames, spur water saving
- Football 'world order' is changing, says Brazil coach
- Maiden century by Varma gives India unbeatable series lead
- Buy now, pay later: Latin America pressured by Chinese online shops
- Republicans complete power takeover with House majority
- Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
- Trump victory signals golden era for crypto industry
- 'First Buddy': Musk takes unusual star role with Trump
- Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game
- England will not change 'DNA' against South Africa, says Slade
- Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to go 1-0 up in ODI series
- Biden, Xi to meet in Peru on Saturday: US official
- Spurs coach Popovich suffered 'mild stroke', says NBA team
- Spain flood epicentre under highest alert for fresh rain
- Turkey scrubs up its baths to keep hammam tradition alive
- 'Very humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus seethes over climate cash fight
- 'Welcome back': Trump, Biden shake hands in White House
- Tech's green wave hits choppy waters
- Fernandes hopes Amorim can 'change the energy' at Man Utd
- Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer
- Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild
Trump presidency raises fresh conflict of interest concerns
Donald Trump's impending White House return poses questions once again about conflicts of interest related to his business empire, with new cryptocurrency and other ventures raising fresh concerns.
The billionaire's stunning political comeback is "rocket fuel for the Trump Empire," said Mark Hass, an Arizona State University marketing professor.
After almost a decade of making headlines around the globe, Trump's "brand is... sort of the Nike or Apple of politics," he said.
"Everybody in the world knows what it stands for.
Trump no longer holds an executive title at the Trump Organization, which has been run by his two eldest sons since his 2016 election win.
However, the 78-year-old has retained his stake in the family business via a trust, which during his first term in office was managed by a third party.
After he left the White House, Trump made himself a co-administrator of the trust. He has yet to say if he will relinquish the position when he takes office again in January.
Regardless, according to Hass, Trump's association with his businesses will persist.
"Maybe he does not have a direct role in it, but you couldn't get as close to the business without directly running it, than having your sons run it and to have your name on it," he said.
Tim Calkins, a Northwestern University marketing professor, said that Trump's victory has likely revived the family's brand.
"Brands are associations and at the moment the Trump brand is associated with winning, comebacks and momentum," he told AFP.
"Trump is still a very polarizing brand, but the election outcome has strengthened the positive associations," he said.
Since Trump's last term in office, the family business has struck substantial deals overseas, with several linked to Saudi Arabia.
The Trump Organization has partnered with Saudi developer Dar Global on a high-rise apartment complex in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, a luxury building in Dubai and a hotel complex in Oman.
It has also signed an agreement with LIV Golf, controlled by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, and has hosted several LIV events on Trump-owned golf courses.
Haas said that such partners understand the contracts give them "influence" over Trump, and will ultimately produce financial benefits for him.
- Stock price -
Trump's conflicts of interest will be "a lot worse" than his last presidency, said Jordan Libowitz, vice president of communications at CREW, a government ethics watchdog group.
Libowitz pointed to Trump's expanded portfolio, which now includes a media group trading on the public market.
"There's nothing stopping, say, the Saudi wealth fund, the Emirati wealth fund, the Kuwait wealth fund -- which all do major investments in technology stocks... from pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the stock," he said.
Trump owns nearly 53 percent of the Trump Media Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of his Truth Social platform.
That stake is currently valued at around $3.8 billion -- making up the majority of his estimated $5.9 billion wealth, according to Forbes.
Foreign investors buying up the stock could raise its price greatly, said Libowitz. "But they can also crash it by selling all en masse."
The New York Post has reported, citing members of Trump's campaign team, that billionaire ally Elon Musk is considering acquiring Truth Social through X, his platform formerly known as Twitter.
The president-elect has also recently ventured into the world of cryptocurrencies, joining his sons in backing a new exchange platform called World Liberty Financial.
Trump is not a shareholder or board member of the start-up, but will receive compensation for the platform using his name.
"It's still not clear how it works or what it's doing," Libowitz said. "But cryptocurrency is notorious for its ability to funnel money anonymously, particularly from overseas."
CREW is considering filing suit against Trump -- as it did during his first administration -- arguing that the president is receiving payments from foreign clients in violation of the US Constitution.
The group's previous suit eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, but it was dismissed because Trump had already left the White House.
"I think it'll be a much more transactional presidency, because there are no obstacles," Hass said of Trump's second term.
"Trump, if nothing else, understands how to monetize his name and his fame."
I.Meyer--BTB