President Donald Trump purchased up to $680,000 in stock of Eli Lilly, a company known for its obesity drugs, earlier this year. This information was disclosed on May 14, 2026, as part of federal ethics disclosures detailing stock and bond trades made on Trump's behalf from January to March 2026. The disclosures indicated that Trump made seven purchases of Lilly stock, with the first occurring on January 6, coinciding with favorable government decisions for the company’s GLP-1 drugs, including a proposal for Medicare reimbursement for these medications when prescribed for weight loss.
During this period, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a pilot program that would allow Medicare patients to pay $50 a month for GLP-1 drugs. Lilly was later named a participating manufacturer in this program. Additionally, Trump made a purchase of West Pharmaceutical Services stock, which also benefits from the GLP-1 market.
Lilly reported $65 billion in revenue for 2025, with expectations of over $80 billion in 2026, largely due to the anticipated Medicare coverage of obesity medications. Analysts noted that the Medicare and Medicaid market would be crucial for achieving this revenue target. Ethical concerns have been raised regarding the potential conflict of interest, as Trump's stock purchases could undermine public trust in government actions. Legal ethicist Kathleen Clark emphasized that government actions should prioritize the common good rather than personal financial gain. While a ban on stock trading by the president would require Congressional action, members of Congress are currently allowed to trade stocks.
