Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump is in a bad situation in America. There is an uproar over Trump’s wine. In fact, recently a report by Forbes came out. In this report it was told that Trump branded wines are now being sold in American military stores. The controversy emerged after the magazine reported that Trump-labeled wine and cider were being sold in Washington, D.C., ahead of the holiday season. and being sold in duty free stores for military personnel in Centreville, Virginia.

Administration officials confirmed the sale, but said it did not violate any laws. Trump’s supporters insisted that these products, like other Trump-branded merchandise, were merely a licensing arrangement and that the President had no direct involvement. However, on the other hand, monitoring groups have condemned this sale as commercial use of federal facilities. Monitoring groups say that in this way Trump is using federal facilities for his business.

What is the Trump wine controversy?

“This is one of those cases where maybe there isn’t a legal issue, but there is definitely an ethical issue,” said Jordan Leibowitz, a spokesman for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a Washington-based organization. He also added that if the government buys these products in bulk, it could violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits the President from receiving additional benefits other than his salary.

Actually, Trump can legally sell his wine in the Coast Guard store, but the issue of controversy is related to ethical and conflict of interest.

1. Trump has entered into licensing agreements to sell liquor under his name brand. The administration and supporters say that no law is being broken by this. But, questions are being raised regarding morality.
2. Coast Guard stores are federal facilities, meaning they are operated by the US government. Selling the President’s family’s products directly in government stores may indicate to the people that the presidency is being used for personal gain. This can be considered an abuse of power, even though it is not violating any law.
3. Emoluments Clause of the Constitution- If the government buys these products in bulk or the President gets benefit from it, then it may be a violation of the provision of the Constitution, which says that the President cannot get any additional benefit apart from the salary.
4. The issue is not whether Trump can sell it, but whether using the presidency and government resources for personal gain poses an ethical and potential conflict of interest.

Uproar over Trump’s personal property

According to Forbes, the move has raised new ethical questions about the presidential family’s various business ventures, which have helped Trump nearly double his net worth since returning to office.

The report raises new ethical questions about Trump’s massive wealth accumulation during his political career, especially after returning to office in January 2025. According to Forbes, his current net worth is $6.5 billion, which has almost doubled since returning to the White House. A large portion of this goes to his profitable cryptocurrency ventures.

Trump’s wine business, which is one of his many branded businesses and has brought him huge profits, is currently valued at $44 million, which includes wineries and wine products. Apart from this, this real estate businessman also sells a variety of merchandise, items like steaks, golden high-top sneakers, guitars, luxury watches and Bibles.

Additionally, all of Trump’s business income has long been managed through the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, whose sole beneficiary is Trump himself, while his elder son Donald Trump Jr. is its trustee.