President Donald Trump has confirmed that he co-owns World Liberty Financial while stating he knows nothing about the crypto venture's business arrangements, including its UAE-linked investors. The remarks came in a television interview that aired days after Senate Democrats renewed a document demand against the company, setting up a fresh test of ownership transparency around the Trump family's digital asset business.

Trump: “I Know Nothing About It”

In a November 8 CBS interview, Ross Douthat questioned the president about foreign investors in World Liberty Financial. Trump acknowledged his co-ownership of the firm and replied, “Because I know nothing about it.”

Trump said his sons operate the family business. Douthat also pressed the president on why he had not divested his interest in the company. Trump defended his family's activities but stopped short of committing to sell his stake.

Senate Inquiry Seeks Records by January

On November 5, Senator Richard Blumenthal renewed document demands in a letter to World Liberty co-founder Zach Witkoff. Blumenthal said the company had produced no responsive records during an 18-month inquiry.

The request covers ownership, financial relationships, foreign investments, and safeguards against potential conflicts of interest. Blumenthal asked the company to begin producing documents by November 30, 2026, and to confirm receipt of the letter by November 9. He set January 4, 2027, as the deadline for voluntary compliance before considering other measures. As previously reported, Binance, Tether, and Fight Fight Fight LLC have received related demands.

The interview aired one day before that November 9 receipt-confirmation deadline.

UAE Investment Raises Ownership Questions

A UAE-linked vehicle reportedly agreed to acquire 49% of World Liberty Financial for $500 million, in an agreement reported to precede Trump's January 2025 inauguration. At 49%, the proposed purchase would fall just short of majority ownership of the company. Senate Democrats cited the transaction in a June 2026 report on foreign investment, questioning whether private financial interests could intersect with decisions affecting the UAE.

The White House has previously rejected the conflict-of-interest allegations, and lawmakers have not established wrongdoing.

In separate litigation, TRON founder Justin Sun has sought sanctions against World Liberty. CoinCentral reported his allegation that the company disclosed UAE citizenship months into their legal dispute. World Liberty has disputed the underlying lawsuit, and no judicial finding of deliberate concealment has been reported.

Trust Bank Plan Adds Regulatory Oversight

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted preliminary conditional approval on August 14 for World Liberty Trust Company, a proposed national trust bank, according to the OCC's decision. Its planned services include USD1 stablecoin issuance, redemption, reserve management, and digital asset custody. Final approval remains necessary before the bank can begin operating. If granted, that final approval would place the planned USD1 issuance, redemption, and reserve-management operations under the OCC's federal banking supervision.

The OCC also documented passivity commitments from three indirect investors, including StringZ Holdings — ownership restrictions that CoinCentral detailed in earlier coverage of the proposed bank. These banking arrangements are separate from the investment reported in World Liberty Financial itself.

Trump's comments do not resolve the matters raised by lawmakers or in litigation.