Schiff Takes Over Senate Floor to Outline Trump’s Top Ten Acts of Corruption

On May 14, 2025, Senator Adam Schiff took to the Senate floor to deliver a detailed, ten‑point exposé of President Trump’s “most corrupt deals,” framing them as examples of self‑dealing that enrich the Trump family at the expense of American taxpayers and national interests Senator Schiff. Across 114 days in office, Schiff argued, Trump has traded on the power of his presidency to line private pockets—from luxury gifts by foreign governments to a personal cryptocurrency scheme—while everyday Americans face higher costs and eroded public services.

Schiff’s Senate Role and Record

Adam Schiff, sworn into the Senate earlier this year to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s seat, has quickly become a leading voice on accountability, carrying over his oversight work from the House and his role in two impeachment proceedings against Trump AP News. In January, he accused Trump of illegally firing 18 federal inspectors general without required notice, warning that such actions undermine critical watchdog functions and enable further corruption POLITICO.

Context of the Speech

Delivering these remarks two days ago, Schiff emphasized Trump’s pattern of leveraging the presidency for personal gain rather than pursuing legislation to lower costs for American families, such as reducing grocery prices or protecting Social Security. A video of the full floor speech garnered widespread attention online, highlighting key soundbites that have since circulated on YouTube and social platforms YouTube.

The Top Ten Corrupt Acts

Below is Schiff’s ranking of the administration’s most egregious acts of corruption, organized from #10 (least corrupt of the ten) to #1 (the most corrupt), based on his floor speech transcript and accompanying materials Senator Schiff.

1. #10: White House ‘Tesla Showroom’ Deal
   On the South Lawn, Trump invited Elon Musk to showcase a Tesla, boosting Musk’s plummeting stock and subsequently receiving a $100 million campaign contribution—a payoff arranged almost immediately after the live stream ended.

2. #9: Golfing Vacations on Taxpayer Dime
   In his first 100 days, Trump spent over 25% of days golfing, costing U.S. taxpayers more than $30 million in Secret Service and support expenses—funds directly paid to Trump’s own golf courses and hotels.

3. #8: Launching a Private Documentary with Corporate Sponsorships
   The administration pitched $10 million sponsorships for Melania Trump’s upcoming documentary, offering credits and premiere invitations in return—a clear quid pro quo of influence through entertainment.

4. #7: ‘The Executive Branch’ Private Club
   The Trump family proposed a $500 000 membership fee for a D.C. private club named “The Executive Branch,” designed as an insider gathering spot for foreign investors and billionaires to directly funnel money into Trump businesses.

5. #6: Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai
   An 80‑floor, luxury hotel project in the UAE—with apartments starting at $2 million—furthers a foreign‑government partnership that directs profits into Trump’s pocket.

6. #5: $5.5 Billion Qatar Golf Course Deal
   A new Trump International golf course in Doha, backed by state‑owned Qatari Diar, is set to net the Trump family hundreds of millions in partnership profits, raising questions about policy influence in the region.

7. #4: Saudi Real Estate Projects
   Two new Trump Towers—one in Jeddah and projects in Riyadh—follow a $2 billion investment from the Saudi crown prince into Kushner’s firm, illustrating a pattern of Gulf wealth funneled to Trump interests.

8. #3: Starlink ‘Pay‑for‑Play’ Satellite Deals
   Elon Musk leveraged his proximity to the President to secure Starlink distribution agreements in countries like Lesotho and India, allegedly as a way for those nations to curry U.S. trade favor—a structure Schiff calls “obvious, egregious, and dangerous” Dailymotion.

9. #2: $400 Million Qatar ‘Sky Palace’ Gift
   Qatar’s offer of a customized palace‑in‑the‑sky jet violates the Emoluments Clause and poses national‑security risks, as counterintelligence experts warn of the cost and complexity of retrofitting foreign electronics for secure presidential use Blue Delaware.

10. #1: Presidential Meme Coin Scheme
    Launching his own cryptocurrency, Trump stands to earn trading fees and sponsorships—already netting billions—while foreign investors bid for private dinners and White House tours, turning the presidency into a direct pay‑to‑play enterprise.

Constitutional and Security Concerns

Schiff underscored that many of these deals potentially breach Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution (the Emoluments Clause), designed to prevent presidents from accepting gifts or titles from foreign entities without congressional approval. National‑security experts, like Garrett Graff and officials cited in the Daily Beast and Washington Post, warn that accepting a $400 million plane from Qatar could introduce vulnerabilities in secure communications and surveillance countermeasures.

Looking Ahead

Schiff concluded by calling for bipartisan investigations and stronger enforcement of ethics laws to prevent a presidency “where Trump gets rich, and you get screwed—over and over.” As these revelations spread across media platforms, Congress faces mounting pressure to probe each deal’s legality and hold the administration accountable. If ignored, Schiff warned, the “art of the deal” for one family could set a perilous precedent that undermines democratic norms and public trust for generations to come.