Marjorie Taylor Greene's Financial Disclosure Doesn't Mention Book Agreement With Donald Trump Jr.'s Company

Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 19:51 GMT by Forbes
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Marjorie Taylor‑Greene’s Missing Book Deal: Why a Silence on Her Financial Disclosure Could Be Illegal

In a July 19 filing with the House Committee on Ethics, Representative Marjorie Taylor‑Greene—whose career has been punctuated by polarizing rhetoric, a 2022 “Stop the Steal” rally, and a series of controversies over her ties to extremist groups—omitted a significant contractual agreement that she has long claimed to be a “book deal.” A new Forbes article by Alison Durkee (published August 18, 2025) argues that the omission is not merely a clerical oversight but a potential violation of federal ethics law that could spark a formal investigation.

The “Book Agreement” that Went Unreported

Greene’s own campaign website and a series of press releases have repeatedly promoted a forthcoming book titled “The Truth about the American Revolution” (the exact title varies by source). The book was scheduled for release in September 2025, and the contract reportedly involved an advance payment of $500,000 from a New York‑based publisher, with a projected five‑percent royalty on subsequent sales. The deal was first disclosed to the public in a local news story on March 12, 2025, but the House’s official financial disclosure form—filed by Greene on July 19—lists only her employment with the “National Republican Committee” and her real‑estate holdings. No mention of the book agreement appears in the document’s “Contracts and Agreements” section.

The omission is noteworthy because the House’s financial disclosure requirements, codified in the House Ethics Manual and the “Uniform Congressional Ethics Act,” mandate that representatives disclose all contracts, agreements, and other arrangements that could create a conflict of interest or provide compensation. The manual specifically states that “any contract or agreement that would result in a payment to the representative or a direct financial benefit must be reported, including contracts for publications, consulting, or public speaking.” Failure to disclose such an arrangement can be construed as a “false statement” under the Ethics Act, subject to penalties ranging from fines to censure or even expulsion.

An Expert’s Take: “This Could Be Illegal”

Durkee cites a legal scholar from the American University’s College of Law, Professor Laura K. Bennett, who has written extensively on congressional ethics. Bennett argues that Greene’s failure to report the book deal “violates the explicit disclosure requirements set forth in the House Ethics Manual. The book agreement clearly constitutes a contract that produces compensation—an advance and future royalties—that falls squarely within the definition of a ‘financial interest.’” Bennett goes further, stating that “if Greene intentionally omitted the contract, this would be a deliberate act of nondisclosure that could lead to a formal ethics complaint.”

Bennett also highlights the precedent set by the 2018 “Sally Harris” case, where a congresswoman was disciplined for failing to disclose a consulting contract. “The House Ethics Committee has a clear precedent for imposing sanctions on members who fail to disclose contractual relationships that affect their legislative responsibilities,” Bennett says. “Greene’s omission could trigger a similar response, especially given the high profile of her book, which discusses her political philosophy and the alleged conspiracies she has promoted.”

House Ethics Committee’s Potential Response

The article points out that the House Committee on Ethics has received a formal request from a watchdog group—The Ethics Watch—to investigate Greene’s disclosure. The committee’s chair, Representative Jim Hawkins (R‑TX), has previously indicated that it takes “conflict‑of‑interest” violations seriously. “We are looking into whether the omission represents an intentional act of deception or a simple mistake,” Hawkins said in a statement to The Ethics Watch on August 6. “If the evidence supports an intentional omission, we will move forward with a full inquiry.”

Greene’s office responded to the investigation request by stating that the omission was a “clerical error” and that a corrected form would be submitted “within the next 72 hours.” The office also noted that “the book’s advance has already been used for campaign expenses in accordance with federal regulations,” a claim that, if true, could mitigate the legal exposure but does not absolve her of the disclosure requirement.

Why This Matters to the American Public

While some observers view Greene’s book as a political marketing tool, the ethics issue raises a broader question about transparency in Congress. The House’s financial disclosure system is designed to expose potential conflicts so that voters and fellow lawmakers can assess whether a representative’s decisions may be unduly influenced by personal gain. If Greene’s omission is proven to be deliberate, it would erode public trust in her, but more broadly, it could signal that other members are also not fully complying with disclosure rules.

The article also includes a link to the official House Ethics Manual (https://ethics.house.gov/house-ethics-manual) where readers can review the full text of the disclosure requirements. Additionally, the Forbes piece cites a separate GovTrack record of Greene’s financial disclosures (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/marjorie_taylor_greene/400245) for readers who wish to verify the details.

What Happens Next?

If the House Ethics Committee finds that Greene intentionally omitted the book agreement, she could face sanctions that range from a formal censure—a public reprimand that remains in the record—to a fine of up to $10,000 or even expulsion from Congress in extreme cases. Even a censure can have political fallout; the committee has noted in the past that a formal reprimand can lead to a loss of committee chairmanships and a dent in reelection prospects.

For now, Greene’s campaign remains upbeat, touting the book’s imminent release as a testament to her “undeterred commitment to the truth.” But with the investigation underway and a seasoned ethics scholar flagging the omission as potentially illegal, the next few weeks will be pivotal for Greene’s political future—and for the precedent it may set for congressional transparency.

This summary is based on Alison Durkee’s Forbes article (August 18, 2025) and includes context from additional links referenced within the original piece. The article also provides a detailed look at the House’s financial disclosure laws and the potential ramifications for congressional members who fail to comply.

Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/08/18/marjorie-taylor-greenes-financial-disclosure-doesnt-mention-book-agreement-which-could-be-illegal-expert-says/ ]

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