Congressional Silence on Trump’s Schemes: What’s in It for Them?

Posted on Boncopia.com | May 2025

Imagine this: a U.S. president is poised to accept a $400 million luxury jet from a foreign government while his family rakes in millions through a cryptocurrency auction that promises White House access. Sounds like a scandal, right? Yet, some of the loudest voices in Congress—those who once screamed about the "Biden crime family"—are eerily silent. Why? What do they gain from looking the other way, and why don’t they see the damage this does to our institutions and the public? Let’s dive into this political paradox and uncover the stakes.

The Schemes Stirring the Pot

On May 12, 2025, David Axelrod, a former Obama strategist, took to X to call out congressional hypocrisy. He pointed to two major controversies involving President Donald Trump: a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from Qatar, intended for Air Force One use before transferring to Trump’s presidential library by 2029, and a Trump family crypto coin ($TRUMP) auction offering dinners with the president and White House tours. The crypto scheme alone has netted the Trump family over $1.3 million in fees, according to the New York Times. Critics, including Senators Adam Schiff and Bernie Sanders, argue these actions violate the U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officeholders from accepting foreign gifts without congressional consent.

Axelrod’s frustration is clear: the same congressional members who spent years investigating Hunter Biden’s laptop and alleging corruption in the Biden family are now mum as Trump engages in what Axelrod calls “the most audacious schemes ever to monetize the office.” So, why the silence?

Why Are They Silent? The Political Calculus

The congressional members Axelrod targets—primarily Republicans—aren’t speaking out for a few strategic reasons:

• Party Loyalty and Power Dynamics: Republicans currently hold a strong grip on Congress, as noted in a BBC report from May 2025. Criticizing Trump risks fracturing party unity, especially when he’s delivering on promises like economic growth and inflation control, as one X user (@dogeai_gov) pointed out. Trump’s base remains fiercely loyal, and GOP lawmakers fear backlash from voters or even primary challenges if they step out of line.

• Personal and Political Benefits: Some congressional members may directly benefit from Trump’s schemes. For instance, Trump’s business dealings, like his recent luxury golf resort deal in Qatar (CBS), could create economic opportunities for allies in Congress who have ties to similar industries. Additionally, the crypto auction’s structure—offering access to Trump—could appeal to lawmakers who want to curry favor with him for policy influence or campaign support. The Reuters piece on Trump’s crypto ventures notes how his administration’s crypto-friendly policies are already shifting legislative priorities, potentially benefiting lawmakers who align with him.

• Avoiding the Spotlight on Their Own Issues: By staying silent, these members avoid drawing attention to their own ethical lapses. The Washington Post has long documented GOP hypocrisy on corruption, as seen in a 2019 article calling out the Trump administration’s “feature, not a bug” approach to graft. If they criticize Trump, they might invite scrutiny of their own financial dealings or past support for policies that enabled such behavior.

What Do They Gain from Silence?

The benefits for these congressional members are both tangible and intangible:

• Political Capital: Staying in Trump’s good graces ensures access to his influence, fundraising networks, and voter base. With midterms on the horizon, GOP lawmakers can’t afford to alienate Trump’s supporters, who see him as a champion against the establishment.

• Policy Leverage: Trump’s administration is pushing deregulation in areas like cryptocurrency, as highlighted in a Reuters article from May 2025. Lawmakers who support these policies—or have financial stakes in the crypto industry—benefit from Trump’s moves. Silence on his schemes might be the price of ensuring favorable legislation, like the stalled stablecoin bill mentioned in the same report.

• Distraction from Broader Issues: By not addressing Trump’s actions, Congress can focus on other priorities—like the $50 billion in Medicare fraud or the $200 million Gaza pier boondoggle, as noted by

  @dogeai_gov on X. This distraction lets them avoid tackling systemic corruption that might implicate their own governance.

Why Don’t They See the Institutional Damage?

The silence isn’t just about personal gain—it’s a failure to recognize the broader harm to American institutions and the public:

• Erosion of Trust in Government: The Qatar jet deal and crypto auction undermine the integrity of the presidency. The Emoluments Clause exists to prevent foreign influence, yet Trump’s actions—without congressional consent—set a dangerous precedent. As Sen. Schiff noted on X, this is “brazen corruption.” When Congress doesn’t act, it signals that such behavior is acceptable, eroding public trust in democratic institutions.

• Unequal Impact on the Public: While Trump and his allies profit, everyday Americans bear the cost. A Washington Post analysis from May 2025 points out that Trump’s business ties to Qatar could influence U.S. foreign policy in ways that don’t serve the public interest—like prioritizing Qatari interests over broader Middle East stability. Meanwhile, the average citizen has no say in these dealings, yet they’ll feel the ripple effects through policy shifts or economic consequences.

• Weakening of Checks and Balances: Congress’s role is to hold the executive branch accountable, but silence abdicates that responsibility. The BBC notes that a Republican-dominated Congress is unlikely to pass a resolution denouncing the jet deal, leaving no formal check on Trump’s actions. This imbalance of power threatens the democratic framework that protects us all.

The Public Pays the Price

While congressional members may benefit in the short term, their silence has long-term consequences for everyone else. The commodification of the presidency—whether through a $400 million jet or a White House tour auction—turns public office into a marketplace. It’s not just Trump who wins; it’s the foreign actors, wealthy investors, and political elites who gain influence at the expense of the average American. As@SkylerforNY pointed out on X, Hillary Clinton couldn’t keep a $425 necklace as Secretary of State, yet Trump is poised to accept a $400 million plane. The double standard is glaring, and it’s the public who loses faith in fairness and accountability.

What Can Be Done?

Breaking this cycle of silence requires action from both Congress and the public. Lawmakers must prioritize institutional integrity over party loyalty, perhaps by pushing for stricter ethics laws or demanding congressional oversight of foreign gifts. Citizens, too, can demand accountability by supporting candidates who value transparency and by staying informed about these issues. Platforms like boncopia.com can help amplify these discussions, ensuring the public isn’t left in the dark.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Reflect

The silence of Congress on Trump’s schemes isn’t just a political choice—it’s a betrayal of the public trust. While lawmakers may gain short-term benefits, the long-term damage to our institutions and democracy affects us all. So, let’s ask ourselves:

• What does it say about our democracy when Congress prioritizes party over principle?

• How can we hold lawmakers accountable when they refuse to hold the president accountable?

• Are we, as citizens, doing enough to demand transparency, or are we complicit in this silence?

Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear how you think we can protect our institutions from becoming a playground for profit.