Trump’s $TRUMP Memecoin Sparks Wealth Questions and Market Volatility

President Donald Trump has faced scrutiny over the $TRUMP memecoin, which launched shortly before his inauguration and briefly surged to a $14 billion market cap. Trump, a significant token holder, reportedly gained billions in paper profits. When asked about personal financial gains, Trump claimed limited knowledge of the token’s performance, stating, "I don’t know about benefited... I heard it was very successful."

In a White House event, Trump dismissed a reporter’s comment about making “several billion dollars,” calling it "peanuts for these guys," without clarifying who he referred to. $TRUMP, which initially traded as high as $80, later stabilized at $41, experiencing extreme volatility. Allegations of potential price manipulation arose amid unconfirmed rumors of Trump selling part of his holdings.

The memecoin’s success was contrasted by the lackluster launch of $MELANIA, raising ethical concerns about Trump leveraging his influence to impact speculative markets. Crypto traders also voiced disappointment over Trump’s silence on cryptocurrency policy during his first days in office, despite hopes for pro-crypto measures.

Bitcoin saw record highs of over $109,000 ahead of Trump’s inauguration but faced sharp declines as broader markets reacted to the memecoin’s volatility. The sudden price swings highlighted ongoing uncertainty in the crypto market, fueled by speculation and limited regulatory clarity.

While $TRUMP's meteoric rise captivated traders, its controversy underscored the ethical and regulatory challenges tied to high-profile individuals influencing crypto markets.