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Is $Trump Meme Coin Trump's Bribery Scheme?

Leslie Juvin-Acker

5 min read

Is $Trump Meme Coin Trump's Bribery Scheme?

Imagine a digital coin that allows anonymous transactions, bypassing traditional financial oversight. Now, envision this coin bearing the name of a sitting president. This scenario isn't fictional; it's the reality unfolding with the recent launch of Donald Trump's meme coin, raising alarms about potential unregulated foreign influence and risks to everyday investors. People are asking is this Trump's bribery scheme?

Article Summary:

This article examines the launch of Donald Trump's meme coin, exploring its potential as an unregulated financial tool that could facilitate foreign influence and bribery, while also highlighting the associated risks for retail investors.

The Unregulated Nature of Meme Coins

Meme coins, like the one recently launched by Donald Trump, operate in a largely unregulated space, allowing for anonymous transactions that can bypass traditional financial oversight. Unlike traditional banking systems, which require institutions to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, cryptocurrencies exist outside of these controls. This means that transactions can be conducted without verifying the identities of those involved, making it easier for illicit activities such as money laundering and fraud to take place. (Reuters)

Potential for Foreign Influence

One of the biggest concerns surrounding Trump's meme coin is its potential for facilitating foreign influence. The anonymity provided by cryptocurrencies enables foreign entities to secretly finance political activities, bypassing existing laws designed to prevent foreign interference in domestic affairs. Given that the coin’s largest known buyers are from China, with some purchases exceeding $10 million, this raises alarms about possible covert financial influence. In traditional campaign finance, contributions from foreign nationals are illegal, but cryptocurrency provides a loophole that allows these funds to flow undetected. (Banking.Senate.Gov)

Risks to Retail Investors

Retail investors—particularly young, inexperienced traders—are often the ones left "holding the bag" in speculative meme coin markets. Historically, meme coins have been associated with pump-and-dump schemes, where insiders artificially inflate the value of a token before offloading their holdings, leaving regular investors with worthless assets. Trump's meme coin, which has already seen significant price volatility, could follow this pattern, especially if his affiliated companies retain large amounts of the coin. Crypto investment scams cost consumers billions of dollars each year, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warning that social media-driven cryptocurrency fraud is at an all-time high. (Business Insider)

Legal and Ethical Concerns

The launch of a cryptocurrency associated with a political figure raises serious legal and ethical concerns. The U.S. Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause states:

"No Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."

If foreign entities are using Trump’s meme coin as a way to funnel money to him in exchange for political favors, it could constitute a direct violation of this clause.

Additionally, Trump’s website states in its disclaimer that the coin “has nothing to do with any political campaign or any political office or governmental agency.” However, Trump himself has promoted the coin, which raises questions about potential conflicts of interest. (Constitution.Congress.Gov)

How Exactly Does Trump Make Money From This Scheme?

Trump personally makes money from the transaction fees garnered from every sale. This means, a Chinese or Russian official buys $10 million of the meme, they also pay a transaction fee. Trump pockets that transaction fee and the Chinese official "holds" their value in the meme coin through their possession of it. So, if I wanted to bribe Trump, all I would need to do is buy this coin and Trump would pocket the fee I paid to own the coin. $Trump meme has already garnered approximately $80-$100 million in fees. That's a nice grift. (Reuters)

Additionally, Trump's companies hold a majority of the $Trump meme coin. The inflated value of a worthless meme coin inflates the value of his companies. Which then permits his companies to leverage loans and other money through the market value of the memecoin. This is similar to what Musk did by leveraging the value of Tesla stock to buy Twitter.

Democratic Senator Chris Myrphy explains this in greater detail. Watch the video, it starts where he begins his explaination.

The Role of Cryptocurrency in Illicit Transactions

Cryptocurrencies have long been used for illicit activities, including money laundering, terrorism financing, and human trafficking. Due to their anonymous nature, digital assets like Bitcoin and meme coins are often the preferred currency for cybercriminals. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), over $1.6 trillion is laundered each year, with a growing portion of this occurring through digital currencies.

Moreover, mining cryptocurrencies consumes vast amounts of energy; for example, moving one Bitcoin requires as much electricity as powering an entire metropolitan city for a day, making it an environmentally damaging technology. (FT) The cost to mine 1 bitcoin is $46,291.24.

Call for Regulatory Oversight

Given the numerous risks associated with political meme coins, experts argue that regulatory oversight is necessary to prevent misuse. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) have begun examining cryptocurrencies more closely, but current laws remain insufficient to address the unique challenges posed by digital assets. Implementing regulations that require disclosure of cryptocurrency transactions, enforce stricter AML compliance, and impose penalties for fraudulent crypto schemes could help prevent financial manipulation and political corruption. Without intervention, these digital assets could further erode financial transparency and allow authoritarian regimes to influence democratic institutions. (Banking.Senate.Gov)

Do you believe Trump created a bribery scheme?

Yes.
No.
Unsure.

EmpoweringAffirmations:

I make informed financial decisions.
I stay vigilant against potential risks.
I prioritize ethical considerations in investments.
I advocate for transparency in financial systems.
I support regulations that protect investors.

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About The Author: Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D.

Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D. – Economic Strategist & Policy Expert

Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D., is a seasoned executive coach, policy advisor, and thought leader with a proven track record of navigating financial crises. With expertise in international economics and law, Leslie has advised politicians, policymakers, and leaders at global organizations—including the OECD, WHO, and city governments—on economic resilience, financial strategy, and crisis management.

A sharp economic forecaster, Leslie identified the warning signs of the 2006 financial crash before many real estate experts acknowledged it—while still an undergraduate studying international economics. Her ability to anticipate economic shifts and provide actionable insights has made her a sought-after consultant for governments and institutions facing fiscal challenges.

Leslie’s passion lies in empowering individuals, businesses, and policymakers with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate economic uncertainty, advocate for financial transparency, and build sustainable financial futures.

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