Why Did Donald Trump Launch The $TRUMP Meme Coin? The 'TRUMP MEME' Token And Its Memes Explained

Last month's Hawk Tuah Girl's $HAWK Meme Coin Rug Pull Scandal showed the internet the risks of investing in a meme coin with little to almost none information about it. Now, the recently elected United States President Donald Trump has decided to release his meme token, marketed as "the only official Trump meme."

Can you believe that now there is a chance that someone might be rug pulled by the U.S. President? Something few could've predicted would happen in 2025. Trump's venture into meme coins aims to tap into cryptocurrency's growing popularity and likely connect with a younger audience.

If you're not caught up on the meme coins trend or Trump's unpredictability actions, this article can guide you on all that's being talked about online and the memes related to the $TRUMP token.

What Are Meme Coins?

Meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by internet memes and popular online culture. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, meme coins focus on humor and community engagement, often experiencing significant value fluctuations driven by social media trends and memetic content rather than technological innovation. They represent a unique fusion of speculative trading and cultural commentary. We did a video back in April 2021 on how Dogecoin, one of the oldest meme coins in the market, went from a meme to a valuable cryptocurrency.

Why Did Donald Trump Launch The $TRUMP Meme Coin?

Trump wasn't always keen on the cryptocurrency market, as he openly criticized the segment, calling it a "scam" and "potentially a disaster waiting to happen." But things changed during his 2024 United States Presidential Election campaign, where he promised to make the U.S. "the crypto capital of the planet", as NPR website wrote in September 2024.

Moving forward to January 2025, Trump launched $TRUMP, or TRUMP MEME token, a few days before his presidential inauguration, which was perceived as a strategic blend of personal branding and financial opportunity.

Tapping into the surge of interest in cryptocurrencies, his venture was coordinated by CIC Digital LLC, "an affiliate of the Trump Organization — which has previously sold Trump-branded shoes and fragrances." As of January 21st, 2025, the CoinMarketCap website showed that $TRUMP saw a growth of 1622040.62 percent since its inception on January 17th.

Why Did Melania Trump Launch The $MELANIA Meme Coin?

Following the steps of Donald Trump, the First Lady of the United States also launched her meme coin, labeled as $MELANIA, at nearly $7. The coin reached a market capitalization of $4 billion shortly after release, attracting nearly 20,000 investors in the first hour.

How Did The Internet React To $TRUMP Meme Coin?

The $TRUMP meme coin's launch elicited mixed reactions online, especially discussions about the crypto market future under the new Trump administration, with some enthusiasts celebrating its bold product and others voicing concerns regarding its safety and potential for fraud. For instance, on January 18th, 2025, YouTuber Thinking Crypto posted a video explaining Trump's meme coin goals and achievements in the short span of its launch.

Memes about Trump's token arose quickly, as X user @coffeebreak_YT posted the Withered Wojak meme accompanied by a caption claiming 80 percent of the $TRUMP meme coin is owned by one wallet.

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For the full history of
*Donald Trump Meme Coin, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.