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Republicans are using their midterm convention to make a congressional stock-trading ban part of their anti-corruption pitch — even as President Donald Trump's own investment accounts continue actively trading millions of dollars. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is one of at least two speakers expected to call for restrictions on congressional stock trading during the Dallas convention's opening day Wednesday, which includes a focus on "Government Integrity." Since returning to office, Trump has maintained an unusually large and active investment portfolio. Across eight accounts, he disclosed at least $858 million in assets and more than 21,000 trades in 2025, according to an earlier CNBC analysis of his annual financial disclosure. During his entire first term, he reported roughly 500 trades. The activity has continued this year. Trump disclosed 1,051 transactions in June alone, totaling between $78.1 million and $263.1 million. His accounts bought and sold stocks, bonds and exchange-traded funds, including multimillion-dollar moves involving Meta, Berkshire Hathaway, Visa and Mastercard and as much as $50,000 in newly public SpaceX. Some of those investments are in industries directly affected by presidential decisions. CNBC reported Wednesday that Trump's nine largest disclosed oil and gas holdings gained an estimated $1.5 million to $4.4 million from the eve of the Iran war through Aug. 31, while his accounts continued buying and selling energy stocks during the conflict. CNBC found no evidence Trump directed those trades, traded on advance knowledge of government decisions or shaped policy to benefit his investments. The Trump Organization has said outside financial institutions have full discretion over investment decisions and rely heavily on automated strategies. The White House has said Trump cannot direct individual transactions and that "there are no conflicts of interest." Trump nevertheless remains the beneficiary of the assets and benefits when they increase in value. Meanwhile, Luna's Wednesday convention billing also comes less than two months after House Republicans passed the first major congressional stock-trading restrictions in years. The GOP-led Stop Insider Trading Act cleared the House 232-198 in July. It would bar members of Congress from buying individual stocks while in office, but allow them to retain existing holdings and sell shares after publicly disclosing their intent at least seven days in advance. The restrictions would not apply to the president. A congressional stock-trading ban has broad public support, fueled by years of scrutiny over lawmakers' well-timed trades and rapidly growing portfolios. However, critics say the House bill still leaves potential conflicts intact. "It's a stock trading ban that still allows stock trading," Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., who has worked with Republicans on a more sweeping proposal, told CNBC in July.
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