Eric Trump appeared to acknowledge that his father, President Donald Trump, discussed family business matters during a recent conversation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto that was caught on a hot mic. Speaking to Real America’s Voice on Thursday, the president’s second son said he was amused when Subianto asked to “meet Eric” during the Gaza summit.
In footage obtained by Reuters, Subianto could be heard asking Trump, “Can I meet Eric?” “I’ll have Eric call. Should I do that? He’s such a good boy, I’ll have Eric call,” Trump replied.
The clip did not make clear what the two leaders were talking about, but Eric Trump later explained it was related to his family’s business interests in Indonesia. The Trump Organization operates a golf club near Jakarta and is developing another project in Bali.
“I’ve never met the president. I used to go over there quite a bit. Obviously, we manage teams over there. It’s pretty amazing that he knew who I was,” Eric said.
“Obviously, I don’t get involved in politics in Indonesia, but when I heard that, I started laughing,” he added. “I must know the projects very well. We’re very proud of what we did in Indonesia. We’ve been there for well over a decade, and so I’m sure he knows about our great success.”
A spokesperson for the Trump Organization told ABC News that the group “has two of the largest and most substantial projects in all of Indonesia, which began in 2015, long before President Trump entered office for the first term.” “It should come as no surprise that our unbelievable property was referenced, given its prominence within the country,” the statement said.
Donald Trump has long maintained that his sons run the family businesses. Both Eric and Donald Trump Jr. serve as executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization. When Trump took office, the company announced an ethics plan to distance itself from business operations.
Despite that pledge, the president has continued to promote Trump-branded merchandise since returning to the White House, including $2,999 watches, $1,000 signed Bibles, and his-and-hers perfumes. In September, Trump clashed with an Australian reporter who questioned whether a sitting president should remain so involved in commercial ventures.
“Well, I’m really not. My kids are running the business,” he replied. “In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me.” The exchange has renewed scrutiny over Trump’s business dealings abroad and whether family enterprises remain intertwined with his political role.