Few figures blend celebrity, politics, and commerce quite like Donald Trump. In late 2022, he surprisingly ventured into the world of digital collectibles, launching the first of several “Trump NFT” collections. These releases generated significant buzz, rapid sales, substantial earnings for Trump via licensing, and no shortage of controversy.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/17/donald-trumps-digital-trading-card-collection-sells-out-in-less-than-a-day

This article explores the various Trump NFT collections, their features, market performance, the platforms involved, and the discussions surrounding them.

Trump NFT Series 1: The Debut (December 2022)

The first collection, titled “Trump Digital Trading Cards,” dropped in December 2022.

• Format: 45,000 NFTs minted on the Polygon blockchain.

• Content: Depicted Trump in various stylized, often heroic or fantastical poses (astronaut, cowboy, superhero).

• Price & Sale: Sold for $99 each via the website collecttrumpcards.com. Payment was accepted in crypto (ETH) or via credit card. The collection sold out in less than a day, netting roughly $4.46 million in initial sales.

• Perks: Included entry into sweepstakes for unique experiences like dinners, golf outings, or Zoom calls with Trump. Purchasing 45 NFTs guaranteed a ticket to a gala dinner.

• Entity: Launched by NFT INT LLC, which licensed Trump’s name and likeness. The website stated the NFTs were not political campaign items.

Trump NFT Series 2: The Follow-Up (April 2023)

A second series of Trump Digital Trading Cards was released in April 2023.

• Format: 47,000 NFTs, again on Polygon and priced at $99 each.

• Reception: While featuring similar themes and perks, this series generated less initial hype and market frenzy compared to the rapid sell-out and secondary market explosion of Series 1.

The “Mugshot Edition” & Bitcoin Ordinals (Late 2023 / Early 2024)

Capitalizing on the media attention surrounding his August 2023 arrest and mugshot in Fulton County, Georgia, a third major collection titled the “Mugshot Edition” was launched around December 2023/January 2024.

• Format: Main collection likely on Polygon, priced at $99.

• Unique Perks: This collection introduced physical elements. Buying 47 NFTs entitled the purchaser to a physical trading card containing a piece of the suit Trump wore for the mugshot, plus a dinner invitation.

• Bitcoin Ordinal Bonus: A key incentive was introduced: buying 100 of the Mugshot Edition NFTs granted ownership of a unique, 1-of-1 “Trump Digital Trading Card” minted as a Bitcoin Ordinal (from a limited set of around 200). These Ordinal buyers also received additional perks like pieces of the suit and tie and gala tickets. These Ordinals became claimable via Magic Eden in early 2025.

• Transfer Restriction: Reports indicated these Mugshot Edition NFTs had a transfer restriction until December 31, 2024.

Trump NFT Subsequent Releases (2024-2025)

• “America First” Collection (Aug 2024): Another series released, continuing the trend of offering perks like limited-edition gold sneakers and VIP dinners for bulk purchases.

• “Trump Bitcoin Digital Trading Cards” (Jan 2025): This appears to be the official release/claiming phase for the Bitcoin Ordinals promised to the 100-card Mugshot Edition buyers. These were inscribed on Bitcoin and made available via Magic Eden.

Platforms and Sales Performance

The primary sales platform for the Polygon-based collections (Series 1, 2, Mugshot) was collecttrumpcards.com, managed by NFT INT LLC. Secondary trading occurred on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. The bonus Bitcoin Ordinals were claimed and traded via Magic Eden.

It’s important to note that these Trump NFT collections were primarily sold through their official website and traded on dedicated NFT marketplaces. Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges like Gate.io typically focus on fungible cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or meme coins) and did not list these specific Trump NFT collections for direct trading on their platform. While Gate.io might list related fungible tokens (like various $TRUMP meme coins, which are separate from the NFTs), the NFTs themselves were traded elsewhere.

Initial sales, especially for Series 1, were swift, but the secondary market performance has been highly volatile. Floor prices surged dramatically at times, often correlating with political events or related memecoin trends, but have also seen significant drops. Total trading volume across the first two series alone reportedly surpassed $65 million at one point. However, current floor prices for many of the collections are significantly lower than their peaks, reflecting the volatile nature of NFTs and collectibles tied to public figures.

Trump NFT Controversies and Criticisms

The Trump NFT projects have faced various criticisms:

• Artwork: Questions arose about the originality of the artwork, with some suggesting the use of modified stock images.

• Sweepstakes Legality: Marketing lawyers suggested the perk system, requiring purchases for a chance to win high-value experiences, could potentially constitute an illegal lottery.

• Market Volatility: Many buyers who purchased on the secondary market at peak prices saw the value of their NFTs decline sharply.

• Financial Transparency: While NFT INT LLC operated the sales under a licensing agreement, Trump heavily promoted the collections, leading to questions about the flow of funds and whether it constituted personal profiteering or indirect campaign funding.

• Political Context: The releases often occurred during politically charged moments, blending personal branding with political identity.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: The classification of NFTs and their potential use in fundraising have drawn attention.

Conclusion

The Trump NFT collections represent a notable intersection of celebrity branding, political maneuvering, and the volatile world of digital collectibles.

While generating millions in revenue for Trump through licensing and capturing significant media attention via platforms distinct from major exchanges like Gate.io, they also highlighted the speculative nature of the NFT market and raised questions about financial transparency and the propriety of such ventures by major political figures.

Their value remains heavily tied to Donald Trump’s public profile and the broader sentiment within the crypto and political landscapes.

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https://www.gate.io/trade/TRUMP_USDT