Ross Gerber slams Trump and Melania memecoin hype for spooking crypto investors: 'Money doesn't come back'

Ross Gerber slams Trump and Melania memecoin hype for spooking crypto investors: 'Money doesn't come back'

Ross Gerber Criticizes Trump and Melania Meme Coin Hype for Undermining Crypto Confidence

Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, has attributed the ongoing crypto market slump to the proliferation of celebrity-backed meme coins, including those associated with former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Gerber argues that these projects have eroded investor trust, exacerbating a broader "crypto winter" marked by declining prices.

The Trump and Melania meme coins, launched around the 2025 inauguration, initially surged in value but have since plummeted. The $TRUMP coin has lost approximately 80% of its value over the past year, while the $MELANIA token has dropped 98% from its January 2025 peak to less than $0.25. Gerber criticized such tokens as "rug pulls" or schemes that "look like one," leaving retail investors "holding the bag" while celebrity promoters profit. He emphasized that investors often fall victim to hype, only to face significant losses when these coins collapse.

Gerber also highlighted other celebrity-backed meme coins, such as former NYC Mayor Eric Adams' token and influencer Haliey Welch's $HAWK coin, which similarly underperformed post-launch. He linked this trend to a broader regulatory environment under the Trump administration, which he claims has become less appealing to everyday investors due to perceived lax oversight.

The crypto market's struggles are evident in Bitcoin's nearly 50% decline from its October 2025 peak, with over $2.7 billion in liquidations recorded in early February 2026— the sharpest sell-off since 2022. Gerber noted that such losses drive investors away from crypto entirely, stifling demand growth. Economist Mohamed El-Erian of Allianz echoed this sentiment, stating that institutional participation is critical for Bitcoin's recovery.

As the market grapples with macroeconomic factors—including the Federal Reserve's leadership changes and capital shifts toward AI equities—Gerber's critique underscores the challenges of rebuilding trust in a sector increasingly associated with speculative hype and volatility.