Trump made $300K for endorsing Bible, his latest financial disclosure shows
Shane Goldmacher, Russ Buettner and Maggie Haberman
Donald Trump’s latest financial disclosure lists more than $100 million in liabilities stemming from three lawsuits he lost in New York that required him to obtain bonds to pay the judgments — but also profits from licensing fees at Trump-branded properties in Dubai and Oman, as well as income that he made from his post-presidential books, including a Trump-endorsed Bible.
The former president also holds more than $1 million in cryptocurrency as he courts the industry for financial support in his 2024 campaign. A related industry, NFT collectibles, is also a source of income.
The disclosure, filed Thursday and required annually for federal candidates and officeholders, often describes assets, investments, sources of income and liabilities in broad ranges, though some figures are provided in greater detail.
The three new liabilities that appear on Trump’s form are all related to his legal troubles, including a line item of more than $50 million to cover his bond in a civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general, Letitia James.
The two judgments against him in the sexual abuse case involving E. Jean Carroll are listed as “litigation; stayed pending appeal; bonded.” The larger of the two is listed in the largest category for liabilities: $50 million or more. The actual judgment was for $83.3 million.
The book “Letters to Trump,” a compendium of personal notes that various celebrities have written to Trump over many decades, with short blurbs about the people in question, brought in $4.5 million, according to the filing. (The book includes a letter from Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco with whom Trump claims he was traveling when they experienced an emergency helicopter landing. Trump included that anecdote in the book, but Brown says it did not take place, and another Black politician from California, Nate Holden, says he was the one on that helicopter ride.)
Trump made money from two other recently released books, including $505,763 from one listed as “A MAGA Journey.” He also reported a $300,000 royalty payment for “The Greenwood Bible,” which appears to be for a version of the Bible that Trump and singer Lee Greenwood have endorsed.
The Bible is on sale online for $60 with a copy signed by Trump selling for $1,000. “Yes, this is the only Bible endorsed by President Trump!” the site advertises.
The disclosure also detailed holdings in the parent company of his social media site Truth Social, which is called Trump Media and Technology Group. It showed he has 114 million shares of common stock that are “subject to lockup period” and that he owns nearly 65% of the company. The disclosure lists the value only as more than $50 million — the highest category on the form — though at its stock peak it has been a multibillion-dollar holding.