Corruption by Crypto: Trump and the Emoluments Clause

The U.S. Constitution has a guardrail against corruption: the Emoluments Clause. It says no president can take gifts or payments from foreign powers or private interests. It’s there to protect the people — to make sure the president serves us, not himself.

But Donald Trump has never followed that rule. In his first term, the corruption was crude — foreign officials booking suites at his D.C. hotel. That now looks almost innocent.

Today, it’s a whole new level. Trump has launched his own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP. Melania has one too: $MELANIA. Together, they’ve raked in over $350 million. Many top holders are believed to be foreign nationals. The tokens are trading on overseas platforms that often block U.S. users — raising serious questions about who’s buying influence and why.

And here’s the kicker: Trump is offering exclusive access to the top 20 crypto holders — a private dinner with him at Mar-a-Lago. Face time with a president, sold to the highest bidders.

If that’s not corruption, what is?

We don’t accept this locally. No one in Bloomington wants a building inspector who expects a $100 handshake to approve a roof. We shouldn’t accept it from our president either.

This isn’t politics. It’s pay-to-play. It reeks of self-dealing and corruption. And if we let it slide, we’re telling future presidents the Constitution doesn’t matter anymore.