Kleptocracy Tracker Timeline
SNF Agora faculty and fellows are frequently called upon by local, national, and international media to offer context and insight on the complex challenges facing democracy today. Drawing on their research and real-world experience, they contribute to a wide range of public conversations, including about elections, civic engagement, disinformation, political polarization, and global governance.
The views expressed below are those of the expert and do not represent the views of the SNF Agora Institute or Johns Hopkins University.
The Kleptocracy Tracker is a public log of political decisions that benefit private interests. Developed by journalist and SNF Agora Senior Fellow Anne Applebaum, the project builds on her reporting in The Atlantic to document a shift in American governance. Financial conflicts of interest are no longer hidden. They are accepted, promoted, and sometimes celebrated.
The timeline records actions taken by President Trump and his administration that raise concerns about the erosion of democratic norms. These include foreign-sponsored events at Trump-owned properties, regulatory changes by federal agencies, and business ventures involving the president’s family. Together, these entries point to a pattern: the use of public office to advance private gain.
In the article that launched this project, “Kleptocracy, Inc.”, Applebaum describes a governing model shaped not by ideology but by self-interest.
“ Once upon a time (and not even that long ago), blatant conflicts of interest, especially involving foreign entities, were something presidents sought to avoid. ”
Anne Applebaum
SNF Agora Senior Fellow
The Kleptocracy Tracker does not offer commentary. It presents facts: dates, sources, public records, and official statements. It is designed for journalists, researchers, and others seeking to understand how corruption can operate in plain sight.
This project is ongoing. The events it documents reflect a broader shift in how power functions in the United States. The Kleptocracy Tracker keeps that record visible.
