GOP Lawmakers Shift Investments to Trump‑Favored Intel and Bitcoin

Republican lawmakers’ brokerage accounts are increasingly loading up on stocks and ETFs championed by President Trump, notably Intel and the iShares Bitcoin Trust, a shift that has helped the GOP‑focused portfolio outperform the market so far in 2026 [1].

Key takeaways

• Intel now comprises about 7.7% of GOP holdings, up from roughly 3% a few months earlier [1].
• The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF accounts for roughly 4% of Republican portfolios, reflecting Trump’s public support for crypto [1].
• GOP‑aligned ETFs have posted gains of over 20% this year, driven in part by Intel’s 220% price increase [1].
• Both parties hold Nvidia, but it makes up nearly 10% of Democratic holdings while also appearing in the GOP mix [1].
• Lawmaker trading activity includes at least 24 members with returns exceeding 20% in 2026, split evenly between parties [1].

Growing tech exposure in Republican portfolios

An exchange‑traded fund that mirrors the aggregate holdings of Republican lawmakers shows a dramatic pivot from traditional blue‑chip names such as Shell, Philip Morris and ConocoPhillips to technology‑heavy assets. The fund’s top five holdings now include Intel, Nvidia and the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, a stark contrast to its earlier composition [1]. This shift aligns with President Trump’s own trading activity, which saw him move over $50 million into “Magnificent 7” stocks and Intel during the first quarter of 2026 after the federal government acquired a 10% stake in the chipmaker [1].

Intel’s rise in GOP portfolios is especially notable. The chipmaker’s weight in the Republican ETF has climbed to 7.72% of total holdings, a substantial increase from the roughly 3% level just months prior, and it now ranks among the top ten holdings for the first time [1]. Overall, lawmakers from both parties have bought and sold Intel nearly 50 times since Trump’s inauguration, with individual trades ranging between $525,000 and $1.8 million [1]. One highlighted case involved Rep. Tim Moore, who sold his Intel position before the public announcement of the government’s stake, a timing that drew scrutiny [1].

Crypto and other Trump‑favored assets

Bitcoin exposure has also entered the GOP mix. Investments in the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF represent about 4% of the Republican portfolio, mirroring Trump’s recent promises to create a “future‑proof” market structure for the cryptocurrency sector [1]. Nvidia, while a favorite of both parties, remains a prominent holding, and Unusual Whales estimates that 48 politicians across the aisle own Nvidia stock valued between $17 million and $70 million [1]. Even companies with mixed relations to the White House, such as JPMorgan Chase, appear in GOP holdings at roughly 3.8% of the portfolio, underscoring the breadth of the shift [1].

Why it matters