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3471President Donald Trump is facing a wave of criticism after reports revealed the launch of “Executive Branch,” a private Washington club tied to Trump allies where membership costs a staggering $500,000.
Critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), are raising alarms over what they see as open corruption and pay-to-play politics.
The club, spearheaded by Donald Trump Jr. and businessman Omeed Malik, promises members exclusive access to top Cabinet officials.
Figures like Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Vivek Ramaswamy, and Vice President JD Vance are also closely tied to the initiative.
As Politico first reported, the goal is to create the highest-end private club Washington has ever seen, aimed at CEOs, tech moguls, and foreign oligarchs eager to build close relationships with the Trump administration.
“Just because the grift is all public doesn’t mean this isn’t the most corrupt White House in history,” Sen. Murphy wrote, echoing a common sentiment online.
The “Executive Branch” will be located in Georgetown, with referral requirements and sky-high membership costs designed to keep the club exclusive to the ultra-wealthy and connected.
The club’s launch party was scheduled alongside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend but intentionally separate, highlighting a growing divide between the Trump administration and the media.
Founding members reportedly include David Sacks, the Winklevoss brothers, and Chamath Palihapitiya.
Critics Say the Corruption Is No Longer Hidden
Social media users were quick to point out the brazenness of the move.
One post said, “They don’t even hide the corruption. This is the sort of thing you’d hear whispers about, boys clubs, cigar smoke filled back rooms. Ethics violations are just a joke to be laughed off now. There is no oversight, no accountability.”
Others compared the club to high-dollar political fundraisers, questioning how this differs from $12,000-a-plate dinners.
Some users also noted similarities to controversies involving Democratic groups like ActBlue, but many argued that Trump’s actions represented a new and more public level of corruption.
The Wealthiest Cabinet in Modern American History
CNN recently detailed how Trump’s new Cabinet is not only the wealthiest in modern history but is also packed with former executives from industries like banking, energy, and crypto.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a former Wall Street powerhouse, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fracking executive, are among those now shaping regulations that could benefit their old businesses.
Wright, for example, will reportedly receive a $1 million bonus from his former company even after taking office.
Lutnick transferred his financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald to his 27-year-old son instead of fully divesting, a move ethics experts call a “loophole” that still presents serious conflicts of interest.
“This administration seems entirely indifferent to ethics,” said Richard Briffault, a Columbia University law professor. “The level of complete indifference to it takes us back to before Watergate.”
Crypto Moves Raise More Concerns
Trump’s embrace of cryptocurrency is another major point of concern.
His administration has established a national Bitcoin reserve, deregulated the crypto industry, and promoted his own meme coin, which spiked in value after Trump offered buyers the chance to dine with him.
Meanwhile, Trump family members and top officials hold significant crypto investments, further blurring the lines between public service and private gain.
Energy Policies Favor Fossil Fuels
At the Department of Energy, Wright has aggressively rolled back climate regulations, cut support for renewable energy, and prioritized fossil fuel projects.
Multiple Department of Energy employees described a hostile environment for clean energy initiatives under Wright’s leadership.
Some communities, like the Mosier Community School in Oregon, are now worried they won’t receive promised federal grants aimed at improving energy efficiency after Trump’s administration canceled meetings and stalled program funding.
Favoring Musk’s Interests
The administration’s moves also stand to benefit Elon Musk, a top donor and Trump adviser.
Changes to broadband funding rules could unlock billions in federal grants for Musk’s Starlink satellite internet project, despite previous findings that fiber-optic connections are far superior for long-term infrastructure.
“You cannot be confident that the decision is being made on the policy merits, as opposed to the influence of a self-interested individual who stands to make a ton of money on it,” Briffault said.
As Trump moves into his second term, the combination of wealth, deregulation, and open pay-for-access politics is drawing comparisons to some of the most scandal-ridden periods in U.S. history.
For critics like Sen. Murphy, the establishment of “Executive Branch” is just the latest and clearest example of how deep the corruption runs.
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