this is a reach . Article 1 , Section 9 , Clause 8 . No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them , shall , without the Consent of the Congress , accept of any present , Emolument , Office , or Title , of any kind whatever , from any King , Prince or foreign State . Emolument a salary , fee , or profit from employment or office . This means to be in the pay of someone else . To be in the employment of someone else . Trump is a business owner , he is not in their employment . By this logic no president can own a business that foreign powers use . So if the king of Saud buys 100 copies of Obamas book he just violated this same thing . also lets say you are 100 % right . you missed this part without the Consent of the Congressso if you are 100 % right and Trump is 100 % in violation congress can just say it ' s ok , which they will .