David Frum argues the U.S. can reclaim Trump wealth by learning from other nations

In an interview, David Frum warned that the United States is unaccustomed to retrieving money siphoned by former leaders, yet he pointed to the asset-recovery tracks set up in Nigeria, Peru and the Philippines as workable models. He noted that while Trump faces limited criminal risk, civil penalties could still expose proceeds from alleged bribery, extortion and market manipulation. Frum referenced Peru’s recovery of roughly $200 million after Alberto Fujimori’s ouster, the Philippines’ $5 billion return under the Presidential Commission on Good Government, and Nigeria’s $1.5 billion reclaimed from Sani Abacha’s heirs with Swiss and U.S. assistance.

He argued that establishing dedicated institutions and securing broad foreign cooperation are essential to prevent the Trump family’s wealth from passing to future generations. The piece frames asset recovery as both a justice issue and a safeguard for democratic resilience.