Senator Accuses Trump of Cryptocurrency Bribery Scheme Amid Tariff Pause
1min read Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) has accused President Donald Trump of operating a "backdoor bribery scheme" through his cryptocurrency, TRUMP. According to Murphy, this scheme allows covert payments from CEOs and foreign oligarchs in exchange for political favors. This allegation comes at a time when Trump has suspended tariffs on most U.S. trading partners for 90 days, excluding China.
Murphy's accusation was made on April 9, 2025, marking the 80th day since the alleged scheme began. He stated that the president's cryptocurrency serves as a vehicle for secret payments, which he described as the "biggest scandal in the history of the Presidency."
Critics, however, have questioned the plausibility of such secrecy, given that blockchain transactions are publicly recorded. Several users on X expressed skepticism, demanding evidence to support Murphy's claims. One user pointed out that all transactions are on the blockchain, making it difficult to keep them secret. Another user challenged Murphy to post his proof.
Murphy has been a vocal critic of the $TRUMP meme coin since its launch in January. The coin, along with its counterpart MELANIA, was introduced by Trump and his wife. Despite the controversy, no official investigation into the TRUMP coin has been launched to date.
The accusation comes amid economic turbulence, with Trump's recent decision to pause tariffs for 90 days. This move has fueled concerns over the trade conflict with China, despite Trump's assurance that it is a "GREAT TIME TO BUY." Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) has called for a congressional investigation into possible insider trading following Trump's post on Truth Social.
The controversy surrounding the TRUMP coin and the alleged bribery scheme adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Trump's economic policies and his use of cryptocurrency. The lack of evidence to support Murphy's claims, however, leaves the allegations open to debate and further investigation. 
