Reporter Confronts Karoline Leavitt on Trump Meme Coin: Are Those Seeking to Influence President ‘Wasting Their Money’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns about President Donald Trump’s meme coin and those looking to buy for a shot at “influence” on the president.
At a Friday White House press conference, Bulwark White House correspondent Andrew Egger kicked off the question portion by pressing Leavitt on Trump’s meme coin. Egger took the “new media” spot at Friday’s presser. The Trump-themed token, $TRUMP, pulled in billions in profits for a handful of accounts while thousands lost their money, according to a CNBC report.
Egger noted that Trump is promoting the meme coin and the group behind it is offering a dinner with the president for top investors this month.
“The president is abiding by all conflict of interest laws,” Leavitt said about the dinner. “He’s been incredibly transparent with his own personal financial obligations throughout the years paid. The president is a successful businessman and I think it’s one of the many reasons that people reelected him back to this office.”
Egger said some “view” the investment opportunity as a way to buy influence, citing the CEO of a shipping company admitting this week he was dumping millions into the meme coin in order to advocate for free trade amid Trump’s tariffs.
“At least some people seem to do it as an opportunity to influence his views. There was a logistics company this week that said they would buy $20 million in order to advocate for free trade between the U.S. And Mexico. If buyers are buying for that reason, are they wasting their money?” Egger asked.
“I can assure you the president acts with only the interest of the American public in mind, putting our country first, and doing what’s best for our country,” Leavitt said. “Full stop.”
In a Meet the Press interview, Trump denied that he’s “profiting” from the meme coin venture.
“I’m not profiting from anything,” he said. “All I’m doing is, I started this long before the election. I want crypto. I think crypto’s important because if we don’t do it, China’s going to.
Watch above via Fox News.
