Former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed criticisms of his business dealings and the role of his children in an exclusive interview with CNBC, according to multiple verified reports. The conversation, conducted on April 5, 2024, centered on allegations of financial conflicts of interest and the legal challenges facing his family’s enterprises.
Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, reiterated his stance that his business practices have been “perfectly legal” and criticized what he described as “biased” media coverage of his financial activities. “The people who are attacking me have never run a business in their lives,” he said, according to a transcript published by Reuters. “They don’t understand how deals are made.”
The interview, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, also touched on the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric—as they continue to work within the Trump Organization. Trump claimed that his children “face endless conflicts” due to their proximity to the former president’s public role, though he emphasized that they operate independently of his political activities.
Business Dealings Under Scrutiny
Trump’s remarks followed weeks of heightened attention on his business empire, which includes real estate ventures, licensing agreements, and a network of global properties. The New York Attorney General’s office has been investigating potential violations of state laws, including allegations of inflated asset values in tax filings, according to a March 2024 court filing.
During the interview, Trump dismissed these investigations as politically motivated. “They want to destroy my name, but they can’t touch me,” he said. “I’ve always played by the rules, and I always will.” The former president pointed to a 2022 federal court ruling that dismissed a portion of a lawsuit alleging fraud in his Trump University real estate courses, though the case remains pending.
Experts noted that Trump’s defense echoes arguments made by his legal team in recent court documents. “He’s framing the criticism as partisan, which is a common tactic in high-profile cases,” said legal analyst Elaine Chao, citing a March 2024 analysis by the New York Times. “However, the underlying financial disclosures and potential conflicts of interest remain under review.”
Children’s Role in Business Operations
Trump’s children have faced increasing public and legal scrutiny in recent years. Donald Jr. and Eric Trump were among the defendants in a 2023 civil fraud case brought by the New York AG, though the case was settled in July 2023 with undisclosed terms. Ivanka Trump has also been implicated in investigations related to her role in the Trump Organization’s financial disclosures.
In the CNBC interview, Trump claimed that his children “have no inside information” about his political activities and that their business decisions are made independently. “They’re running their own companies, and they’re doing it very well,” he said. “They don’t need my help, and they don’t want it.”
The former president denied these claims, calling them "a total disgrace."
Context and Implications
The interview comes as Trump prepares for potential legal challenges following his