s Trump profits from the presidency, he tries (and fails) to defend his massive windfall

After pulling in $2.2 billion last year, the Republican had a chance to present some kind of defense for his gains. He apparently couldn’t think of much.

Thursday, July 02, 2026 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS As Trump profits from the presidency, he tries (and fails) to defend his massive windfall As Trump profits from the presidency, he tries (and fails) to defend his massive windfall After pulling in $2.2 billion last year, the Republican had a chance to present some kind of defense for his gains. He apparently couldn’t think of much. MORE Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville hedges on whether he kept his campaign promise to veterans All of the available evidence leaves little doubt that the GOP senator simply did not do what he said he would do. MORE Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville hedges on whether he kept his campaign promise to veterans All of the available evidence leaves little doubt that the GOP senator simply did not do what he said he would do. MORE Team Trump uses tax dollars to scuttle renewable energy project (yet again) As one key Democratic member of Congress summarized, “It is hard to imagine a more backwards use of taxpayer money.” MORE Team Trump uses tax dollars to scuttle renewable energy project (yet again) As one key Democratic member of Congress summarized, “It is hard to imagine a more backwards use of taxpayer money.” MORE Trump’s rhetoric about the Air Force One gifted by Qatar takes a weird turn “Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this,” the president said, referring to a jet built by an American company on American soil. MORE Trump’s rhetoric about the Air Force One gifted by Qatar takes a weird turn “Frankly, we couldn’t build a plane like this,” the president said, referring to a jet built by an American company on American soil. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG Former CIA Director John Brennan sues Trump’s DOJ, pushing back against probe Job numbers disappoint again as 2026 reaches halfway point Despite his recent antics, acting DNI Bill Pulte gets broad declassification powers Work reportedly begins on White House helipad as part of Trump’s renovation agenda PROGRAMMING NOTE! Hey! Remember last week's live event in Philadelphia with Rachel, Jen Psaki and Ali Vitali? MS NOW is putting it on TV!   This Friday, July 3 at 9pmET.   (We will also put the audio of this event into our podcast feed, so if you don't already follow that, it often has more than just show content, so it's worth your while. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.) STEVE GETS OUT AND ABOUT (Steve shares Greg Sargent who shares the New Republic link to the transcript of their discussion.) PRE-ORDER NOW! Rachel has a new book! "Department of Fate: The Promise, the Power, and the Collapse of America’s Most Consequential Institution" comes out November 10 but you can pre-order now. See MS.NOW/DepartmentOfFate for links and options to pre-order. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK RACHEL MADDOW ON BLUESKY  229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER