JD Vance and Melania Trump both reported sharp rises in their income during 2025, according to federal financial disclosures, although their earnings remained far below the billions earned by former President Trump. Vance’s total income, including investment returns, jumped notably from the previous year, reflecting a boost largely due to royalties and advances from his bestselling autobiography, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Vance’s disclosed earnings ranged between $1.4 million and $7.4 million, up from about $213,000 to $1.3 million in 2024. The increase stemmed mainly from approximately $1.2 million to $5.2 million linked to his book, a substantial rise compared to less than $100,000 the year before. Additionally, Vance sold his stake in the Rise of the Rest investment fund, which brought him at least $100,000. This fund was co-founded with AOL’s Steve Case at the venture firm Revolution. The disclosures did not report any income for Vance’s wife, Usha, who left her law firm position during the 2024 campaign cycle.
Melania Trump’s earnings surged even more dramatically last year, surpassing those of Vance by a wide margin. Her business income fell between $17.3 million and $18.2 million, a leap from under $1 million in 2024. A major portion of her revenue came from a $10.7 million licensing deal tied to the “Melania” movie, which Amazon acquired and promoted. Amazon’s founder holds extensive business interests potentially influenced by government policy, and the company recently settled a $2.5 billion Federal Trade Commission lawsuit related to its Prime membership practices.
Beyond the licensing agreement, the former first lady earned $6 million from sales of her proprietary memecoin and nearly $500,000 from her autobiography titled “Melania.” These disclosures highlight how both Vance and Melania Trump capitalized on brand-building and media projects amid their political and post-political careers.