7am Part 2: How Trump built a crypto empire out of ‘thin air’
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Sep 9, 2025 Nick Robins-Early, a tech and power reporter for The Guardian, dives into Donald Trump's surprising transformation into a 'pro-Bitcoin president' after initially claiming cryptocurrencies are based on 'thin air.' The discussion reveals how Trump's family has launched lucrative crypto ventures, possibly outpacing previous presidential earnings. Robins-Early explores the ethical dilemmas of a political figure intertwined with the crypto world and examines how Trump's interests shape Congressional regulation, raising questions about conflicts of interest.
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Strategic Political Pivot To Crypto
- Trump shifted from calling crypto "thin air" to courting the industry as a strategic political and financial move.
- He positioned himself as the pro-Bitcoin candidate to win endorsements, access, and donations from wealthy crypto investors.
Trump Family's Crypto Business Launches
- The Trump family launched multiple crypto ventures including mining firms, tokens, and meme coins tied to events and perks.
- World Liberty Financial and other entities quickly announced massive valuations and token launches tied to the Trump brand.
Crypto Outearned Traditional Trump Businesses
- Crypto has become exceptionally lucrative for the Trumps, possibly generating billions and surpassing prior business earnings.
- Their crypto income is opaque, buried in complex disclosures and rapid conversions into assets like Bitcoin.