The New York Post editorial board delivered a sharp rebuke Monday to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump over their financial ties to a U.S.-backed tungsten mining project in Kazakhstan, arguing the arrangement raises many of the same ethical questions Republicans spent years asking about the Biden family.
The Murdoch-owned newspaper compared the business venture to what it called “Hunter Biden sleaze” and argued that the Trump sons should not be held to a different standard than the political opponents they have criticized.
The editorial continued:
Insider deals, finders’ fees and backdoor introductions to family members are business-as-usual in Third World banana republics, but these slimy practices have now been normalized in the White House, to the shame of the nation.
The editorial followed recent reporting that companies connected to Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the sons of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could benefit from a major mining venture that has received preliminary backing from U.S. government financing agencies.
According to a New York Times investigation, companies tied to the Trump and Lutnick families stand to benefit from a $1.6 billion tungsten mining project in Kazakhstan. The project is being led by Kaz Resources, an American company seeking to mine one of the world’s largest untapped reserves of tungsten, a critical mineral used in missiles, computer chips and other advanced technology.
The Trump administration has approved preliminary applications for up to $1.6 billion in federal financing, including $900 million from the Export-Import Bank and $700 million from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. No money has been disbursed while final approvals remain pending.
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are partial owners of Dominari Securities, an investment firm that acquired a 20% stake in an entity tied to the Kazakhstan project as the deal was being negotiated.
Brandon and Kyle Lutnick, meanwhile, oversee Cantor Fitzgerald, a family-controlled investment company that helped a lead investor raise $210 million in capital and collected millions in fees.
The Times also reported that the Trump and Lutnick families have financial ties to at least 14 companies involved in critical mineral deals with the federal government, totaling more than $8.9 billion in potential or approved federal financing.
The White House and Commerce Department have rejected conflict-of-interest allegations, saying the administration’s decisions are guided by national and economic security priorities, including reducing U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals.
Eric Trump has said he is only a passive investor and has no active management role in the project. White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration is focused on strengthening U.S. supply chains and protecting strategic interests.
Post Draws A Hunter Biden Parallel
The Post argued that the Trump family’s business ties should be judged by the same standard Republicans applied to the Biden family.
The editorial board warned that insider arrangements involving relatives of senior government officials can create the appearance of conflicts of interest, regardless of party.
The paper also suggested the issue could become a political problem for Republicans if it is not addressed.
Ethics Fight Widens
The Kazakhstan project has added new fuel to the debate over the private business dealings of relatives of powerful government officials.
Critics say the overlap between federal policy and family financial interests creates at least the appearance of a conflict. Defenders argue the project serves a legitimate national security purpose by helping the United States secure access to critical minerals and reduce reliance on China.
With Democrats already seeking additional scrutiny, the dispute is likely to remain a flashpoint in the broader fight over ethics, transparency, and political family business dealings in Washington.
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