Trump's Bitcoin Evolution: Manafort's Role in 'Orange-Pilling'

Trump's Stance on Bitcoin Evolves: A Key Figure's Role in His 'Orange-Pilling'

Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, has had a complex relationship with Bitcoin. Initially dismissing it as a "scam against the dollar," Trump's views on the cryptocurrency have since evolved. A pivotal figure in this shift was Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chair.

In an episode of the Empire newsletter, David Bailey, CEO at BTC Inc, revealed how he and two other Bitcoin enthusiasts managed to introduce Trump to the cryptocurrency. The group, all "all in on bitcoin," sought to accelerate hyperbitcoinization by pitching the idea to Trump.

Through a connection facilitated by Manafort, the group began educating Trump's team about Bitcoin. Trump, who initially liked the dollar, had a key concern: Bitcoiners claim Bitcoin will destroy the dollar. Bailey and his team addressed this by comparing Bitcoin to the gold stored in Fort Knox, arguing that it could strengthen the dollar's relevance for another 200 years.

Trump understood the argument and agreed to meet in person at Trump Tower. This meeting marked a significant turning point in Trump's stance on Bitcoin. Since then, Trump has sold NFT collections on Polygon, launched memecoins on Solana with his wife, and even started a DeFi project called World Liberty Fi, actively courting crypto teams for partnerships.

While Trump is not a Bitcoin maximalist, his evolving stance on the cryptocurrency reflects a broader shift in the political landscape towards digital assets. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is likely that more political figures will engage with and adopt cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.