Trump Backs Crypto Again, Says It ‘Stayed Strong’ During Market Downturn

In a new interview with Meet the Press, former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his support for cryptocurrency. He talked about crypto’s stability, comparing it to the stock market during economic downturns as proof of its growing relevance and reliability.

NBC’s Kristen Welker asked President Trump, “…you’ve branded your own cryptocurrency. The coin’s value actually surged recently after you announced that top holders would be invited to have dinner”, during the interview.

Trump replied after some back and forth, “I want crypto. I think crypto’s important because if we don’t do it, China’s going to… If you look at the market, when the market went down, (crypto) stayed much stronger than other aspects of the market.”

Trump’s comments came amid the buzz over a Trump-themed meme coin that surged in value following his announcement of a dinner event for its top holders. Critics argue that there’s a clear conflict in such endorsements and allege that he might be profiting from the presidency.

While the president denied profiting personally from the coin, he did mention his belief in crypto’s role in the U.S. economy, calling it a “hot” and “very popular” sector.

A Sharp Contrast with the Biden Administration

Trump also criticized President Joe Biden and Gary Gensler for what he described as a sudden and opportunistic shift in crypto policy. “They went after [crypto] violently… then they changed their tune to get votes,” he said, referring to regulatory crackdowns under SEC Chair Gary Gensler, followed by a softer tone ahead of the 2024 election.

Framing crypto as a geopolitical and generational issue, Trump positioned himself as a pro-innovation leader. While he stopped just short of announcing any specific crypto policy or regulatory reform, the president hinted at a more open approach that would be different from the previous approach with regulatory uncertainty.

Political Messaging and the Crypto Electorate

As the president openly supports digital assets again, the community could see this as an attempt to capture a sizable voter base made up of crypto holders, developers, and entrepreneurs. His message was filled with optimism for the American economy and put crypto as a safeguard against foreign dominance. 

And with millions of Americans now invested in digital assets, Trump’s stance could influence the voters’ sentiment towards him as well as the future conversations around crypto legislation in the 2025–2026 political cycle.