5 takeaways from President Donald Trump’s interview with CNBC
President Donald Trump speaks with CNBC’s Joe Kernen in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on July 2, 2026.
CNBC
1. Trump feels bad for his kids over investment scrutiny
The president defended his family’s business and said he feels bad that the presidency creates a conflict of interest in any of his children’s investments.
“Anything they do, because the presidency is so powerful … if they buy a cupcake company, well, the energy to make the cupcakes, is you know, sort of like, how’s my energy policy?” Trump said during the interview.
The president added, “Almost anything they do, if they want to buy a truck … if they buy an energy efficient truck, they have insider information.”
The investments of the president’s children have been heavily scrutinized, especially as their portfolio has aligned with the strategic goals of the elder Trump’s administration. The Trump administration has approved deals or contracts with multiple companies that the younger Trumps have invested in, from drone manufacturers to mining ventures.
Those investments have raised eyebrows in Congress, with some Democrats aiming to scrutinize the younger Trumps’ deals for potential insider trading or conflicts of interest.
2. Trump says his son Eric handles his money
Donald Trump Jr., left, and Eric Trump speaking on “Squawk on the Street” on Feb. 18, 2026.
CNBC
Fresh off the release of a massive financial disclosure showing the president made more than $2 billion in 2025, Trump said his son, Eric Trump, handles his finances along with large financial institutions.
“It’s given to big firms … my son Eric handles it,” Trump said. “I don’t talk to him about things such as this. I think I’d be allowed to, I’m not sure even what the status is, but I don’t.”
Trump said Eric Trump “gives it into these like semi-blind trusts or blind trusts where people invest.” The White House has previously said Trump’s finances are managed by his children, and the president specified one of his five children.
Trump’s financial disclosures have sparked immense scrutiny over potential profiteering off the presidency. The White House has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Trump’s disclosure also listed about $515 million from Trump-aligned World Liberty Financial token sales and $65 million from sales of equity in WLF’s holding company. Trump in the interview said there was “nothing illegal” and “nothing wrong” with the crypto venture.
3. The president still wants to fire Lisa Cook
Trump doubled down on his desire to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, even after the Supreme Court barred him from doing so for now.
The high court ruled earlier this week that Trump could not fire Cook for now because her legal challenge against her firing is still playing out. But the justices, in a 5-4 decision, left the door open to Cook being fired on the merits.
Trump wasn’t deterred by the decision, saying in the interview that he would oust Cook by “winning the…
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