In an unexpected move, incoming first couple Donald and Melania Trump launched their own meme coins, stirring controversy and curiosity. Days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, these coins reportedly reached billions in paper value. Ethics experts and some crypto insiders are wary of this timing, as Trump had pledged to be a crypto-friendly president.
In July 2024, Trump addressed crypto’s largest convention and has since appointed Howard Lutnick, who supports the cryptocurrency company Tether, to run the U.S. Commerce Department. Lutnick is among other crypto enthusiasts appointed to Trump’s next administration, reinforcing his newfound support for digital currencies.
Melania’s coin, $MELANIA, debuted on social media, causing fluctuations in $TRUMP’s value. Meme coins like these hold no real value but are driven by cultural trends, making them highly volatile. Over the weekend, $TRUMP rapidly soared to over $70, only to dip when $MELANIA was introduced. It later stabilized around $60, whereas $MELANIA traded over $12.
This launch reflects Trump’s latest pivot towards embracing cryptocurrency, marking a significant shift from his previous criticism of digital currencies.