Bernie Sanders calls out Trump’s eye-popping settlements this year alone

Donald Trump has long been known for saying he doesn’t take a presidential salary — a claim he has repeated often throughout his time in office.

As President of the United States, Trump earns the standard $400,000 annual salary, a figure that has remained unchanged for two decades. In addition, the president receives a $50,000 non-taxable expense allowance, $100,000 for travel, and $19,000 for official entertainment costs.

During his first term, Trump chose to donate his paychecks to various federal departments and projects, including the renovation of historical areas within the White House. Supporters often pointed to this gesture as proof of his commitment to serving the country over personal gain.

However, Trump’s finances in 2025 have continued to attract attention — not because of his salary, but due to several major legal settlements involving some of the world’s biggest tech and media companies.

Earlier this year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reportedly reached a multi-million dollar settlement with Trump over a long-standing dispute concerning the suspension of his social media accounts in 2021. Those accounts were reinstated in 2023 after extended legal proceedings. Reports suggested that a large portion of the settlement funds could be directed toward the construction of Trump’s planned presidential library, expected to open in 2029.

Around the same time, YouTube also resolved a separate legal matter with Trump, leading to another significant financial agreement. The platform had previously restricted his channel following the events of January 6, 2021, citing safety concerns at the time. The resolution of the case marked the end of years of legal back-and-forth between Trump’s team and several major online platforms.

In another case, X (formerly Twitter) was reported to have reached its own settlement earlier in the year after similar disputes related to account access and public communication.

The wave of legal outcomes in Trump’s favor sparked mixed reactions across political circles. Some saw the settlements as a major personal and political victory, while others criticized what they viewed as an imbalance of power between wealthy individuals and large corporations.

Senator Bernie Sanders was among those who commented publicly, expressing frustration over what he described as “a system that rewards wealth and influence.” His remarks quickly went viral online, highlighting the broader debate over money, power, and political privilege in America.

While the exact figures of Trump’s legal victories remain the subject of public speculation and varying reports, one thing is certain — the former president continues to command immense financial influence well beyond his official duties.

Trump himself has said little about the details of these settlements but maintains that his financial success comes from perseverance and business acumen. Whether viewed as a savvy negotiator or a controversial political figure, Donald Trump remains one of the most closely watched personalities in modern American politics.