Donald Trump today launched a collection of NFT trading cards that claim to come with real-life benefits for buyers, including an invite to a gala dinner with Trump or even a meet-and-greet with the former U.S. president. And NFT enthusiasts and Trump supporters alike are incredulous over the news.
Trump shared the Collect Trump Cards campaign through his official Truth Social account on Thursday. The post says that the digital trading cards—which are minted on Polygon, an Ethereum sidechain network—will sell for $99 apiece and enter buyers into sweepstakes to win certain perks.
Each card features an illustration of Trump, in some cases reimagined as a superhero, cowboy, or astronaut. In reality, the ex-president left the office in disgrace after encouraging the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021, and has since faced investigations into his role in the events alongside alleged fraud at his companies.
“Collect all of your favorite Trump Digital Trading Cards, very much like a baseball card, but hopefully much more exciting,” he wrote today. “Would make a great Christmas gift. Don’t Wait. They will be gone, I believe, very quickly!”
Donald Trump's NFTs on Polygon. Image: Donald Trump
This is the first time that Trump himself has released his own NFT collectibles, although there have been past unofficial projects. Social network Parler, for example, released Trump-inspired NFTs earlier this year. Trump's collection features 45,000 total NFTs on Polygon, with a per-buyer limit of 100 NFTs.
The backlash on Crypto Twitter was immediate, with NFT personalities reacting to what Trump had promised was a "major announcement" for today.
"Is this an appropriate use of 'I can't even?'" wrote pseudonymous NFT collector and creator, Punk6529.
I have so many questions and comments but really just in disbelief and confused and hope it all goes to zero post haste so we can start again. pic.twitter.com/sOVCTfUQRs
"My god," reacted crypto trader and influencer Scott Melker. "I have so many questions and comments, but really just in disbelief and confused and hope it all goes to zero posthaste so we can start again."
"Donald Trump is launching his NFT collection," wrote crypto investor LilMoonLambo. "Sell everything. The bear market won."
Even conservative voices see the launch as a misfire. Robby Starbuck, a filmmaker and former Republican congressional candidate, opined: "Love the guy but this turns many off."
Hard truth time: This is not good. We’re facing a threat to civilization from far left Marxist extremists. Teasing NFT cards as a major announcement is not the kind of fight people want to see now. These are dark times. Love the guy but this turns many off. Agree or disagree? pic.twitter.com/tJ4CcPDF0F
Others pointed to Trump's previously stated stance against cryptocurrency. His NFT cards are minted on a blockchain network and can be purchased with crypto, representing a flip-flop for the former president.
Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
NFT Revolution
NFTs are provably unique crypto tokens that are quickly becoming increasingly popular among digital artists, gaming companies, and investors. Track the NFT revolution here.
Off the Grid creator Gunzilla Games added a Bored Ape Yacht Club-themed content pack Wednesday as part of an “Ape-ril” promotion for Pro subscribers of its battle royale game.
The pack contains two new Bored Ape-inspired skins or avatar designs, along with two Ape-themed guns and two fresh emotes that allow users to “go apeshit” or “hump for dominance” when celebrating their in-game achievements.
“Time to go full ape sh*t with two Bored Apes battling for clout, coin, and chaos,” the game’s offic...
Logan Paul’s lawsuit against YouTuber Coffeezilla is moving forward after a U.S. magistrate judge denied the crypto sleuth’s request to dismiss Paul’s claims with prejudice.
Counsel for Coffeezilla, whose real name is Stephen Findeisen, filed a motion to dismiss the claims in February on behalf of Findeisen and Coffee Break Productions LLC, claiming that the alleged libelous statements were not capable of defaming Paul.
Texas magistrate judge Henry J. Bemporad disagreed, noting that Findeisen’s...
Ethereum NFT marketplace X2Y2 is shutting down its trading platform at the end of April, the firm announced Monday, as the development team pivots to the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto.
X2Y2’s smart contracts will persist, so trades can still be executed, but users will not be able to use the website’s front-end after April 30.
“I know this might sting, especially when it comes to token price. X2Y2 tokens were tied to this NFT vision, and as we close this chapter, that...
