Controversy Over Trump Jr.'s Social Club... Membership Fee Reaches 700 Million KRW [AK Radio]

Global Political and Business Leaders Join as Members
Active Expansion into Real Estate and Cryptocurrency Businesses

Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has sparked controversy by establishing an exclusive social club for global political and business figures, charging a membership fee of $500,000 (approximately 700 million KRW). The club's name, "Executive Branch," has drawn particular criticism in the United States, with many accusing Trump Jr. of seeking personal gain by leveraging his father's presidency.

Trump Jr. is currently traveling across countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, meeting with prominent figures in politics and business and recruiting them as members of the "Executive Branch" club. The club plans to open a clubhouse in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., around June or July this year, providing a private space for members to hold secret meetings.

During the first Trump administration, there was a similar venue at the Trump International Hotel where donors and close associates could meet in secret. The new club appears to be modeled after that concept. Trump Jr. has stated that the club will enforce strict security measures to ensure that no information is leaked to the press. In addition to the United States, political and business leaders from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are also expected to join as members, and it is anticipated that the club will serve as a forum for in-depth discussions on lobbying, policy, and business matters.

Trump Jr. is also actively entering the cryptocurrency business. The official coin of former President Trump, the "Trump Token," as well as the "Melania Coin" for former First Lady Melania Trump, have already been launched. More recently, Trump Jr. and his brother Eric Trump have been working together to create a coin called "American Bitcoin."

Trump Junior arriving at Gimpo Airport on the 29th of last month by private jet. Photo by Yonhap News

Currently, in Republican strongholds such as New Hampshire, Arizona, and Texas, laws permitting the holding of Bitcoin reserves are being passed one after another, leading to expectations of a general increase in cryptocurrency asset prices. Notably, former President Trump's stance on cryptocurrencies, which was negative during his first term, has shifted significantly in his second term.

Trump Jr. is not only issuing coins but is also involved in establishing exchanges and mining operations, indicating a strategy to generate substantial profits through vertical integration of the cryptocurrency industry. Some analysts suggest that this may be a strategy to move assets into cryptocurrencies in anticipation of possible asset freezes or forfeitures resulting from various lawsuits after Trump's term ends.

Trump Jr.'s activities have drawn strong criticism within the United States. U.S. presidents are required to place all their assets in a trust to prevent personal profit, yet the president's son, who inherited the family business, is creating a large social club and engaging in various business ventures, which many see as inappropriate.

However, Trump Jr. appears largely unfazed by such criticism. In a recent interview, he questioned, "Didn't President Biden's son Hunter Biden sell paintings for $200,000 (about 300 million KRW) each?" and added, "No one said anything then, so why am I being singled out now?" He also pointed out that despite Hunter Biden's involvement in controversies such as tax evasion, firearms law violations, and the Russia scandal, President Biden granted him full pardons at the end of his term.

AP Yonhap News

Although Trump Jr. has not entered politics directly and instead serves as the head of the Trump Organization, he is known to wield considerable political influence as his father's behind-the-scenes power broker. Since the first Trump administration, he has been active in Europe, and it is said that he became fluent in Czech and German after spending a long time in the Czech Republic, where his maternal relatives lived, during his childhood.

He is also reported to have played an active role in the selection process of Vice President nominee JD Vance, and is regarded as a key figure with significant influence among Trump's advisors. It is believed that his strong anti-communist sentiment, developed during his childhood in the Czech Republic under Soviet control, later translated into antipathy toward the U.S. Democratic Party, leading him to actively support his father's political activities.

Experts point out that expanding relationships with foreign figures through such unofficial behind-the-scenes power can be a double-edged sword. While Trump's current strong influence over the U.S. administration and the Republican Party may make these connections beneficial for now, they caution that changing political circumstances in the future could turn them into liabilities.