Trump Meme Coin Crash: How much money do you think he made off of it?

Here's what I found:

The Trump-themed meme coin, $TRUMP, has experienced a dramatic collapse, shedding over 90% of its value since its peak earlier this year. Initially launched in January 2025, just days before Donald Trump's second inauguration, the coin surged to a market capitalization of $27 billion, driven by aggressive promotions and promises of exclusive perks for top investors. However, a combination of insider sell-offs, regulatory scrutiny, and ethical concerns has led to its precipitous decline.


🚀 Meteoric Rise Fueled by Hype​


The $TRUMP coin's launch was marked by a frenzy of activity. Promoted as the "official" Trump meme coin, it offered incentives such as a private dinner with President Trump for the top 220 holders, with the top 25 receiving additional VIP perks. This strategy attracted significant investment, with over $1.7 billion poured into the coin following the announcement.


However, concerns quickly arose regarding the ethical implications of such promotions. Critics likened the initiative to a "pay-to-play" scheme, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of foreign investors.


📉 Sudden Crash and Investor Losses​


The coin's value began to plummet following a significant sell-off by major holders. Notably, a large wallet offloaded billions of tokens, triggering a 90% drop in value. Additionally, a $300 million token unlock further exacerbated fears of a mass sell-off, leading to a continued decline in price.


Analysts have pointed to the coin's structure, where Trump-affiliated entities controlled 80% of the supply, as a factor that allowed for potential market manipulation. This concentration raised alarms about the coin's stability and the fairness of its trading environment.


⚖️ Ethical and Legal Concerns​


The intertwining of Trump's political position with his cryptocurrency ventures has sparked widespread ethical debates. Experts have highlighted potential violations of the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from profiting from foreign entities, given the coin's international investor base.


Furthermore, the rapid succession of related coin launches, including those by Melania and Barron Trump, has led to accusations of pump-and-dump schemes. These ventures have drawn criticism for exploiting political branding for financial gain, often at the expense of unsuspecting investors.


🧾 Legislative Response and Industry Impact​


In response to the controversy, lawmakers have proposed the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act (MEME Act), aiming to prohibit the issuance or endorsement of financial assets by sitting presidents and their immediate families. The act seeks to address the ethical gray areas exposed by the $TRUMP coin saga.


The cryptocurrency industry, already grappling with regulatory challenges, faces increased scrutiny as a result of these events. The $TRUMP coin's collapse serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of intertwining political influence with speculative financial instruments.

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/13/trump-crypto-memecoin-dinner-00344190
 
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