Trump discloses stock trades involving Microsoft, Nvidia, SpaceX and Tesla

US President Donald Trump disclosed numerous stock transactions made on his behalf during July. The filings cover technology, defence-related and artificial intelligence companies.

Official documents show that between $6.5m and $31m of Microsoft stock was sold, while purchases of the company’s shares were valued at $165,000 to $400,000. The disclosure covers more than 1,000 buys and sells.

Nvidia and Palantir transactions

The portfolio also included trades in Nvidia, a developer of chips used for artificial intelligence systems, and Palantir, which holds contracts with the US Department of Defense and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Thousands of dollars’ worth of shares were bought and sold in SpaceX, Elon Musk’s rocket, satellite and AI company, as well as Tesla, his electric-vehicle maker. SpaceX listed its shares on the US Nasdaq in June; after a sharp decline in July and August, its stock is currently 14% above its market debut price.

White House says portfolio is independent

A White House spokesperson said independent third parties manage Trump’s stock and bond portfolio. The spokesperson said neither the president nor members of his family could direct or influence investment decisions or the timing of trades.

The July disclosure came amid renewed debate over artificial-intelligence safety. Trump opposes restrictions and additional safeguards, warning that they could leave the US behind China in the technology race.

At the UN General Assembly, he said he wanted to rebrand AI as “super intelligence”, and last week said: “Whoever wins AI, wins.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres has continued to call for binding international safeguards.

Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington this week. His administration is also proposing an emergency hotline with Beijing to manage cyber risks and incidents involving rogue AI systems.