Leaks Spur Republican Break as Lawmakers Call for Independent Inquiry Into Trump’s Foreign Business Ties

WASHINGTON — A leak of financial records purporting to show secret payments from foreign governments to companies linked to former President Donald J. Trump has triggered one of the most significant public fractures within the Republican Party since he left office. Twelve sitting Republican senators — many of whom previously defended Mr. Trump through two impeachments and numerous investigations — issued a joint statement this week calling for an independent inquiry into the allegations, describing the documents as “serious enough to require immediate review.”

The financial records, which several major news organizations report were leaked from a Dubai-based law firm by an internal compliance officer, have not been independently authenticated by government investigators. However, forensic accountants consulted by CBS News, CNN, and The Washington Post told reporters that the materials appear internally consistent and reflect complex cross-border transactions routed through multiple shell companies.TRU

According to reporting by Politico, the documents — dubbed the “Desert Files” by journalists analyzing them — show more than $100 million in payments over a four-year period. The funds allegedly moved through corporate entities in several countries before reaching accounts tied to Trump-associated businesses or family members. News outlets reviewing the materials say some payments appear to coincide with foreign policy decisions favorable to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Russia. None of these claims have been confirmed by federal investigators, and representatives for Mr. Trump have denounced the documents as fabricated.

Still, the allegations have unsettled Republican lawmakers who until now remained publicly aligned with the former president. Several senators reviewed portions of the leaked material before signing the joint statement, according to aides familiar with the discussions. One senator, speaking anonymously to share private deliberations, said colleagues felt the documents were “too detailed to ignore,” even if their authenticity remains unproven.

The leaks revive longstanding concerns raised during Mr. Trump’s presidency about conflicts between his business holdings and his public role. Unlike previous presidents, Mr. Trump did not divest from his private company or place his assets in a blind trust, prompting ethics groups to scrutinize foreign spending at Trump-owned hotels and resorts. The new documents, if verified, would suggest a financial network far more extensive than what was publicly known.

The political fallout was immediate. Allies of Mr. Trump moved quickly to discredit the records and the lawmakers demanding an inquiry. According to Politico, Mr. Trump privately castigated the 12 senators, labeling them “traitors” and threatening primary challenges. His legal team, however, has not released financial records that would rebut the allegations.

Republican strategists say the break reflects mounting anxiety about electoral vulnerability. “The senators who signed on are looking at two risks,” said a GOP consultant who advises several members of Congress. “Defend Trump and face accusations of ignoring potential corruption, or call for an investigation and risk Trump’s base turning on them.” The consultant predicted that additional lawmakers may quietly support an inquiry even if they do not join the public statement.

Polling suggests the Republican electorate itself is divided. A YouGov survey conducted on December 5 found that 41 percent of Republican voters believe the leaked documents warrant serious investigation, while 52 percent view them as a hoax. The split underscores the challenge for party leaders as they navigate the intensifying controversy.

Legal scholars caution that even if the documents are authentic, significant questions remain. “These reports describe conduct that, if verified, would raise constitutional concerns regarding foreign payments to federal officials,” said Laurence Tribe, a constitutional law professor at Harvard, in an interview quoted by MSNBC. But he emphasized that the authenticity and context of the documents would need to be established through formal investigation.

For now, Congress faces mounting pressure to respond. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to convene closed-door discussions on whether to request the documents formally. The Department of Justice declined to comment on whether investigators have begun reviewing the materials.

What began as a leak from an overseas law firm has quickly evolved into a political crisis with implications for Republican leadership, U.S. foreign policy, and public faith in federal institutions. Whether the documents represent a historic corruption scandal or an elaborate forgery remains unproven — but their impact on Washington is already unmistakable.