Trump Announces NFT Trading Card Collection – Rolling Stone
Donald Trump in the past this week on Truth Social teased that he would make a “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT” on Thursday, asking questions about what on earth the former president was up to. Is it a rally ride? Is it his candidacy for the House of Representatives? Is it something dumber and more pathetic than anyone could have predicted? Yes, of course it was. It is a Donald Trump Digital Trading Card NFT Collection.
The former president launched a new line of NFTs on Thursday, along with an infomercial-caliber video announcing they could be had for just $99 a piece. He sells bad, digitally generated photos of himself cosplaying as an astronaut, a fighter pilot, a sheriff in a white duster, a red carpet celebrity and more.
Die-hard fans of Trump who buy 45 of these cards (that’s at least $4,455 worth of Trump NFTs) will be given a ticket to a dinner with the former president, according to the website. Less die-hard fans will participate in “The Trump Sweepstakes,” where they can win one of “thousands” of prizes, including an hour of golf with Trump, autographed memorabilia and a group Zoom call. (It’s probably worth noting that Trump has one rich history of teasing similar giveaways in exchange for donations, but apparently never following through with honoring them.)
Donald Trump’s digital trading card collection will produce “a maximum of 45,000 NFTs” throughout the contest period. Worried that someone else might have the same “Trump rips off his work suit to reveal his superhero costume while shooting laser beams” card as you? Don’t worry, these cards have assigned “rarity”, which means they will certainly increase in value. No, there is no refund. What are you a lib?
The announcement is already made is criticized as a distraction and a flop by some of Trump’s most committed supporters. “We have a nation going down the toilet and Donald Trump selling Pokemon cards. No thanks,” wrote Chad Prather, host of conservative outlet The Blaze.
These NFTs apparently will not be used to fund Trump’s re-election campaign. A disclaimer on the website indicated that “these digital trading cards are not political and have nothing to do with any political campaign. NFT INT LLC is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization.” With the Trump Org having recently been convicted of criminal tax fraud, they may resort to desperate measures to pad the coffers for an incoming wave of penalties and settlements.
