Kathmandu— Reports indicate that former President Donald Trump generated a personal profit of approximately $2.2 billion in 2025, averaging $1.1 million per hour based on a 40-hour work week—a figure critics say stands in stark contrast to the federally mandated minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer responded to initial reports but were criticized for not emphasizing the hourly rate, which some believe would have been a powerful communication tool. The allegations stem from Trump’s financial activities while in office and have spurred calls for congressional hearings and further investigation into potential conflicts of interest.

Missed Opportunity for Wage Debate

The author of this report contends that Democratic leaders Jeffries and Schumer failed to fully leverage the $2.2 billion profit figure, specifically by framing it in terms of Trump’s hourly earnings. Highlighting the disparity between his income and the federal minimum wage—which remains frozen at $7.25 per hour—could have provided a compelling argument for raising wages across the country, benefiting tens of millions of American workers. The report suggests this was a missed opportunity to connect with voters and underscore concerns about economic inequality.

Allegations of Tax Avoidance and Unlawful Agreements

Beyond the substantial profit figure, the report also points to an alleged unlawful agreement between Trump and the IRS regarding tax abuses. Details surrounding this agreement remain vague, but it is presented as further evidence of potential misconduct during his time in office. The author asserts that such arrangements contributed to Trump’s ability to amass significant wealth while serving as a public official.

Calls for Congressional Oversight

To address these concerns, the report proposes joint shadow hearings between House and Senate Democrats during the August recess. These hearings would aim to examine Trump's investment arrangements in detail and explore potential reforms to prevent similar self-enrichment by future presidents. The author believes that expert testimony could reveal further information and reach a wider audience through media coverage. Jeffries previously stated on social media: “Donald Trump made more than $2 billion during his first year as President. Republicans are enriching themselves while making your life more expensive. We must crush the culture of corruption.” Schumer echoed this sentiment, writing, “$2.2 BILLION for the Trump family. Higher costs for the American people.”

Complexity Behind the Earnings

The report emphasizes that such a high hourly income is not achieved passively. It suggests a complex web of interactions and potential conflicts of interest were involved in generating the $1.1 million per hour figure, implying hidden details beyond publicly available information. The author encourages citizens to contact their Democratic members of Congress and demand action.

The report concludes by urging further investigation into Trump’s financial activities and advocating for increased transparency regarding presidential earnings. It calls on concerned citizens to actively engage with their representatives and push for congressional oversight.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.