Trump’s Crypto Coin Controversy: “I Haven’t Even Looked”
President’s Comments Raise Eyebrows Over $350M Meme Coin Windfall
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an NBC Meet the Press interview released May 4, President Donald Trump delivered contradictory remarks about whether he is profiting from a cryptocurrency token bearing his name, raising fresh questions about transparency, ethics, and political influence in the digital asset space.
When asked directly if he was profiting from the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin, Trump initially responded, “I’m not profiting from anything.” But moments later, he added, “I haven’t even looked.” The coin, launched on Jan. 17, just three days before his re-entry to the White House, surged to a peak of $73.43 on Jan. 19. As of today, it trades around $11.35, a staggering 85% drop from its peak, per CoinGecko.
A Hidden Goldmine? Trump’s Ties to 80% of Token Supply
Two entities tied to the former real estate magnate and current commander-in-chief — CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC — control 80% of the TRUMP token’s 1 billion supply. Most of these tokens are locked and set to release gradually through 2028. The first token unlock on April 18 transferred 40 million tokens worth $454 million to CIC Digital.
According to a March report by the Financial Times, the project has already generated at least $350 million — including $314 million from token sales and $36 million in transaction fees.
Despite these staggering figures, Trump expressed apparent ignorance of his own token’s recent activity, repeatedly asking during the interview: “What is it at now?”
Criticism Mounts from Both Parties
Trump’s growing involvement in crypto has drawn bipartisan concern. Critics argue that his personal financial interests could conflict with his political stance on reducing crypto regulation. Even fellow Republicans, including Senators Cynthia Lummis and Lisa Murkowski, took issue with a recent offer to dine with Trump — reserved for top TRUMP token holders on May 22.
Trump, who has previously promised to donate his presidential salary, was asked whether he would consider contributing any crypto earnings back to the government. His response: “I never thought of that.”
He added, “Should I contribute all of my real estate that I’ve owned for many years if it goes up a little bit because I’m president and doing a good job? I don’t think so.”
Pro-Crypto, Anti-China Rhetoric Intensifies
Throughout the interview, Trump repeated his support for crypto, framing it as a geopolitical necessity. “I want crypto. I think crypto’s important because if we don’t do it, China’s going to,” he said.
Later that day, on the White House South Lawn, Trump doubled down, telling reporters, “Crypto is very important. We have to keep it away from China.” He linked the threat of Chinese dominance in crypto to broader concerns over artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
These comments reflect his continued efforts to position the U.S. as a leader in the digital economy, while simultaneously battling criticism over his own cryptocurrency entanglements.
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