Former U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his Middle East envoy, billionaire Steve Witkoff, have come under fire following revelations about their cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial Inc., and its links to the Tron network. Authorities and financial experts have flagged Tron as a platform allegedly used by Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah, raising ethical and national security concerns.
World Liberty Financial, launched just two months before the U.S. presidential election, has partnered with Tron in a $30 million investment deal. Tron founder Justin Sun, a controversial figure under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will serve as an advisor to the Trump-backed venture.
Alleged Use of Tron by Terror Groups
Israeli authorities have linked Tron wallets to militant groups since 2021, with the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing freezing 186 accounts tied to Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terror organizations. This follows reports that Tron’s low transaction fees and anonymity features have made it a preferred platform for illicit activities.
While Tron denies knowingly facilitating criminal activity, the company has acknowledged that its network has been used by both lawful users and bad actors. A recent collaboration with law enforcement led to the freezing of $70 million in illicit funds, according to a company spokesperson.
Trump’s involvement in the venture, alongside Sun’s advisory role, has drawn sharp criticism. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert, said, “There are red flags all over this.” Critics argue that Trump’s financial entanglement with World Liberty raises serious questions about conflicts of interest, especially as his administration is set to oversee regulatory agencies like the SEC.
Ethics Experts Raise Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest
The ethical issues surrounding World Liberty are not limited to Tron’s controversial past. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and co-founder of World Liberty, is also financially tied to the venture. Experts warn that Witkoff’s dual roles as a policymaker and private investor could lead to decisions influenced by personal financial gain rather than U.S. interests.
Larry Noble, a former Federal Election Commission general counsel, highlighted potential violations of the U.S. Constitution’s “emoluments clause,” which prohibits federal officials from accepting benefits from foreign entities.
Trump’s prior business dealings have also raised eyebrows. During his first term, over $7.8 million was spent by foreign governments at Trump-owned properties, sparking allegations of undue influence.
Social Media Reacts to Controversy
Netizens were quick to react to the explosive revelations:
- @CryptoHawk2024: “Trump’s venture with Tron? This is a national security disaster waiting to happen!”
- @EthicsFirst: “How is this legal? Partnering with a platform allegedly tied to terror groups is unacceptable!”
- @MiddleEastMonitor: “Tron’s ties to Hamas and Hezbollah are well-documented. Why is Trump endorsing this?”
- @PolicyWatcher: “Ethics experts are right. This crypto deal raises serious questions about conflicts of interest.”
- @FinanceTruth: “This isn’t just unethical—it’s dangerous for U.S. credibility.”
- @GlobalEye: “World Liberty is setting up the Trump administration for a massive scandal. Watch this space!”


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