Trump's financial disclosure reveals 18 Coupang stock trades since late last year
Washington, July 5
US President Donald Trump made 18 trades in Coupang shares from October to May via his money managers, his financial disclosure reports showed, amid tensions between Seoul and Washington over South Korea's regulatory probes into a massive data breach involving the US-listed e-commerce giant.
Released in May and this month, three reports filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) showed that Trump traded Coupang shares through two investment accounts from Oct. 9 to May 22.
They suggested that he likely holds Coupang shares worth up to US$130,000 on the books, reports Yonhap news agency.
His stock transactions drew attention as U.S. criticism has risen over South Korean authorities' handling of Coupang's data leak scandal. A House Judiciary Committee staff report and a White House official recently criticised the probes as "discriminatory."
According to the reports, Trump purchased Coupang shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on Oct. 9, followed by an additional purchase valued between $50,001 and $100,000 on the same day. The disclosure reports listed transaction values in ranges rather than specifying exact numbers.
He bought more Coupang shares valued between $1,001 and $15,000 on Oct. 16. On Dec. 11, he additionally acquired shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000, along with another purchase valued between $50,001 and $100,000 on the day. He then purchased more shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on Dec. 18.
He sold Coupang shares worth between $15,001 and $50,000 on Oct. 16, followed by a sale worth between $15,001 and $50,000 on Nov. 10 and another valued between $1,001 and $15,000 on the same day. He also sold Coupang shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on Nov. 17.
This year, Trump continued trading Coupang shares.
He purchased the company's shares valued at between $100,001 and $250,000 on Feb. 12, followed by another purchase worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on the same day. He then acquired Coupang shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on Feb. 23.
On Jan. 12, he sold Coupang shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000, followed by a separate sale worth between $50,001 and $100,000. He also sold shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on Jan. 21, before making further sales valued between $15,001 and $50,000 on May 18, and between $50,001 and $100,000 on May 22.
These transactions suggested that he could own up to $130,000 worth of Coupang stock on the books.
His 2025 financial filing, one of the three reports, showed that last year, he earned "none" or just small amounts through his Coupang stock trading.
The White House did not immediately respond to Yonhap News Agency's request for comment.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Seems like a standard diversified portfolio move. But 18 trades in 7 months for one stock? That's active management, not passive. The timing with geopolitical tensions is suspicious though.
As someone working in Indian tech, Coupang's data breach is concerning. But mixing stock trading with foreign policy pressure? That's a conflict of interest waiting to happen. 😠
Respectfully, this looks like insider trading with extra steps. Trump's team should have put these in a blind trust. Indian politicians face similar scrutiny - we remember the stock market controversies back home.
Yaar, this is like our politicians investing in companies they regulate. Same story, different country. The $130,000 might be small change for Trump, but the principle matters. 🤔
The data breach itself is the bigger story. Overcharging customers + weak cybersecurity = classic e-commerce problems. India's had similar issues with local players. Trump's trades are a distraction.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.