WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Under the Trump administration, crony capitalism has taken root, and will now need to be weeded out. Otherwise, the US economy will continue to be hobbled while crooks and grifters line their pockets.

It has taken four years, but US President Donald Trump's tax avoidance and deep indebtedness are finally being exposed, as are his many acts of self-dealing and efforts to benefit his cronies. Under Trump, the United States has begun to epitomize crony capitalism, whereby political leaders extend benefits and protection to businesses in exchange for political acquiescence and economic favors.

Under such arrangements, which are commonly associated with post-colonial and post-communist states, the "cronies" are the "fr...