Senator Adam Schiff issued a blistering critique of former President Donald Trump, accusing him of corruption and self-enrichment at the expense of ordinary Americans. Speaking during a campaign event, Schiff claimed that Trump’s financial dealings and business ventures since leaving office demonstrate a pattern of personal gain that undermines his credibility as a public servant.
“He’s building a $200 million ballroom for himself,” Schiff said, referencing one of Trump’s reported development projects. “He’s making more money for himself and his family than he ever has in his whole life put together.” The California Democrat argued that Trump’s focus on expanding his private wealth highlights a disconnect between his rhetoric about helping working families and his personal financial pursuits.
Schiff, a longtime critic of the former president, framed the issue as one of moral integrity as much as politics. “He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about you,” he told the crowd, drawing applause from supporters. “It is his underlying corruption that is responsible for the reason why you are struggling.” His remarks reflected a broader Democratic message portraying Trump as motivated by self-interest rather than public service.
The senator’s comments come as the presidential campaign enters an increasingly combative phase, with both parties intensifying attacks on each other’s ethics and leadership records. Schiff’s criticism builds on years of tension between the two men, dating back to the former president’s first impeachment inquiry, which Schiff helped lead as chair of the House Intelligence Committee.
Trump and his allies have consistently denied accusations of corruption or self-enrichment, insisting that his business ventures comply with all laws and that his post-presidency activities are legitimate. Campaign spokespeople have frequently accused Democrats of weaponizing ethics concerns for political gain, arguing that Trump’s success in business and politics demonstrates his ability to lead effectively.
Analysts noted that Schiff’s remarks were aimed not only at energizing the Democratic base but also at reinforcing broader concerns about transparency and accountability in government. His language, while pointed, echoed long-standing Democratic arguments that Trump’s financial interests present potential conflicts with the public good. The comments also reflect Democrats’ effort to frame the 2026 election as a referendum on integrity in leadership.
As the campaign trail heats up, exchanges like these illustrate how issues of wealth, ethics, and trust continue to dominate the national conversation. For Schiff, the speech served as both a warning and a rallying cry, urging voters to scrutinize what he described as “the personal corruption that defines Trumpism.” For Trump’s supporters, it was another example of partisan hostility from a frequent political adversary — a reminder that the country’s divisions remain as stark as ever.