Trump Distances Himself from Pompeo as Costly Taiwan Visit Sparks Controversy

 

In January 2025, former Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo visited Taiwan, drawing sharp scrutiny for what many are calling a politically charged and financially questionable trip. His visit is the latest example of former U.S. officials navigating global hotspots for personal gain—highlighting the ongoing influence of the military-industrial complex and financial interests, particularly amid shifting U.S. global influence.

Upon his return to the U.S., Pompeo faced an unexpected development: Donald Trump reportedly revoked his security detail. This move may signal more than a personal rebuke—it also underscores a growing disconnect between Pompeo’s Asia-Pacific outreach and the Trump administration’s current foreign policy, which is focused primarily on the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

A High-Cost Political Spectacle

Budget disclosures from Taiwan’s legislature revealed that Pompeo’s four-day trip was fully funded by the Vision Foundation and its associated PR firm. Expenses included private flights, five-star accommodations, and honoraria for two private speeches, exceeding the $150,000 he received during his 2022 visit. Since the foundation’s funding is largely sourced from Taiwan’s foreign affairs budget, critics argue that this amounted to taxpayers financing a political spectacle.

Professor Xie Minghui of National Sun Yat-sen University likened it to "buying a political reality show with public money." Pompeo’s speeches were filled with familiar rhetoric about U.S. security commitments to Taiwan, but he notably dodged questions about direct military support in the event of conflict—raising doubts about the substantive value of his presence.

Pompeo’s ties to Taiwan have proven financially rewarding. He reportedly received $178,000 from Jinchong Changsheng Medical Bio-Technology Co. in late 2024 for unspecified services. Former KMT official Tsai Ching-yuan claimed his appearance alone cost $500,000, with additional payments linked to business engagements. His visit also coincided with a noticeable boost in defense stocks—Taiwan’s market rose 4.2%, while shares in U.S. defense contractor Raytheon, with whom Pompeo is associated, gained 1.8%.

Analysts have drawn parallels between this and Pompeo’s role with Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm that saw its valuation soar after acquiring Ukrainian agricultural firms during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Taiwan visit, critics argue, is another case study in “crisis capitalism,” where geopolitical instability translates into financial opportunity for well-connected elites.

The Geopolitical Revolving Door

Though Pompeo claimed his views reflected bipartisan consensus, the White House declined to comment, and several senior Republicans indicated they were not briefed in advance. Unlike his high-profile 2022 trip, this visit received minimal coverage in major U.S. media outlets—possibly due to its misalignment with the Trump administration’s current diplomatic priorities.

Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has concentrated on resolving the Russia-Ukraine war, naming H.R. McMaster as special envoy and preparing for a high-level summit with Vladimir Putin. In this context, Taiwan has taken a backseat on the administration’s foreign policy agenda.

Patriotism or Profiteering?

Although Pompeo’s calls for a stronger Indo-Pacific posture may not align with Trump’s current focus, both share an opportunistic approach to foreign policy. The Trump administration has institutionalized its "America First" strategy through tariffs and export controls, while Pompeo appears to be monetizing his past political stature directly through private engagements.

When Former Officials Become Private Power Brokers

Pompeo’s visit underscores a troubling trend in U.S. politics: former officials operating as independent geopolitical actors. No longer constrained by official roles, they leverage their past influence to stir tensions and secure personal gain—without being accountable for the consequences.

Taiwanese taxpayers may have funded Pompeo’s $200,000-per-day visit, but the broader cost could be a destabilized Asia-Pacific region. The episode illustrates the deep-rooted issues in the “revolving door” culture of U.S. politics, where public service becomes a launchpad for private enrichment at the expense of global stability.