Trump-backed World Liberty backs Hong Kong venture offering AI from restricted Chinese companies
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President Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial is collaborating with Hong Kong-based venture WorldClaw, whose platform lists 43 of 90 AI models from Chinese companies the White House has flagged for security risks. WorldClaw accepts World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin as payment, and the Trump family owns 38% of World Liberty, earning revenue from token usage. Seven experts said the arrangement conflicts with the administration's posture toward Chinese technology.
Key Facts
- A Reuters review found that 43 of the 90 AI models available through WorldClaw's website were developed by Alibaba, Baidu, Z.ai and other Chinese companies the Trump administration says pose risks to national security and intellectual property.
- The Trump family owns a 38% stake in World Liberty Financial and earns revenue from the use of the platform's tokens.
- WorldClaw accepts World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin as payment, and World Liberty makes money from the use of its stablecoin.
- White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said there are no conflicts of interest in the World Liberty-WorldClaw relationship and that President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public.
- Seven experts on Chinese technology, trade and government ethics said the collaboration runs counter to the administration's stance toward Chinese tech companies.
The Collaboration
WorldClaw, founded earlier this year, offers customers access to a suite of 90 AI models and accepts World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin as payment. A Reuters review found that 43 of the 90 models available through WorldClaw's website, or nearly half, were developed by Alibaba, Baidu, Z.ai and other Chinese technology companies the Trump administration says pose risks to national security and intellectual property. WorldClaw also offers access to dozens of models from U.S. firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic. There is nothing illegal about World Liberty's collaboration with WorldClaw or with WorldClaw's relationships with the Chinese companies. Such Chinese models, which are typically less expensive, are gaining traction globally, including among U.S. tech companies.
Trump Family Revenue
The Trump family owns 38% of World Liberty and earns revenue from the use of World Liberty's tokens. World Liberty makes money from the use of its USD1 stablecoin, including when WorldClaw users choose it as payment for access to AI models. USD1 is backed by traditional assets like U.S. Treasury securities, and the Trumps are entitled to a percentage of the interest earned on those assets. The president's two eldest sons have publicly promoted WorldClaw, and a World Liberty executive has worked as an adviser to WorldClaw.
Expert and White House Reaction
Seven experts on Chinese technology, trade and government ethics said the business collaboration, and the potential profits for President Trump through World Liberty, runs counter to his administration's stance toward Chinese tech companies. Sam Bresnick, a fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, said it seems hypocritical to use Chinese tools through WorldClaw to make money while the U.S. government tries to respond to the rise and threat of Chinese AI. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement that there are no conflicts of interest in the relationship between World Liberty and WorldClaw and that President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public. Reuters could not establish the details of World Liberty's financial arrangements with WorldClaw or how much money the Trump family has made from crypto payments on the platform.
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Trump-backed World Liberty backs Hong Kong venture offering AI from restricted Chinese companies
