Post Reports The making of Trump’s presidential library
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Dec 15, 2025 
Michael Kranish, a political investigative reporter at The Washington Post specializing in presidential history, discusses the planning of Donald Trump’s future presidential library. He delves into the historical role of presidential libraries as research hubs and the implications of private funding. Kranish reveals potential conflicts in historical representation, discusses the oversight of exhibits, and raises alarm about the ethics of fundraising during Trump's presidency. He also explores what artifacts might shape Trump’s narrative, warning of the risks of one-sided history.
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Libraries Evolved From Archives To Private Centers
- Presidential libraries began as public repositories for records and artifacts, overseen by the National Archives.
- Modern centers shift toward private-funded campuses and digital access rather than onsite research collections.
Private Fundraising Mirrors The Obama Model
- Trump's library is following Obama's privately funded center model, raising funds through a private foundation.
- Because the Trump Library Foundation is private, it does not have to disclose donor identities while he remains president.
Fundraising While In Office Raises Ethics Flags
- Private foundations can accept donations without public disclosure, raising conflict-of-interest concerns when fundraising occurs during a presidency.
- Proposed legislation would ban such fundraising until after a president leaves office, but it lacks bipartisan support.