Fact Check: "Trump's three sons, Donald Jr., Eric, and Barron, are listed as co-founders of World Liberty Financial."
What We Know
World Liberty Financial is a decentralized finance protocol and cryptocurrency company that was announced by Donald Trump in September 2024. The company has been noted for its close ties to the Trump family, particularly with Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump actively involved in its management. According to a New York Times article, both Donald Jr. and Eric Trump hold titles related to the company's operations, while Barron Trump is also mentioned in connection with the venture.
The company's structure indicates that a Trump business entity owns 60% of World Liberty Financial, and the Trump family members are significantly involved in its operations and promotion. Specifically, a report mentions that the three sons are listed as “Web3. Advisors” to the company, which implies a role in advising on digital finance matters (Bloomberg, Wikipedia).
Analysis
The claim that Donald Jr., Eric, and Barron Trump are co-founders of World Liberty Financial is partially true. While Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are actively involved in management and are referred to in advisory roles, Barron Trump’s involvement is less clearly defined. The term "co-founder" typically implies a foundational role in establishing the company, which is primarily attributed to Donald Trump and other digital currency entrepreneurs (Wired).
Moreover, the distinction between being a co-founder and being an advisor is crucial. The New York Times and other sources confirm that Donald Jr. and Eric are more directly involved in the day-to-day operations, while Barron's role appears to be more peripheral. Thus, while they are all associated with the company, the nature of their involvement varies, leading to a nuanced interpretation of the claim.
In assessing the reliability of the sources, the New York Times and Wired are recognized for their journalistic integrity, while Bloomberg and Wikipedia provide useful but less authoritative insights. The New York Times investigation into World Liberty Financial highlights potential ethical concerns and conflicts of interest, which adds a layer of credibility to the claims about the Trump family's involvement in the company (NBC News, New York Post).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump's three sons, Donald Jr., Eric, and Barron, are listed as co-founders of World Liberty Financial" is partially true. Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are actively involved in the company's management and are recognized as advisors, while Barron Trump’s role is less clearly defined. Therefore, while all three are associated with the company, only two are actively engaged in its foundational and operational aspects.
Sources
- How the Trump Family Invests in Crypto From World Liberty to ...
- World Liberty Financial
- Trump Rolls Out His New Cryptocurrency Business
- Trump's financial disclosures reveal tens of millions in income from ...
- The Trumps Have Gone Full Crypto With World Liberty Financial
- Trump raked in $57M income from family crypto firm
