OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign made history with an announcement on this week.
The campaign revealed that it will be the first in U.S. history to accept cryptocurrencies as donations, which is seen as a move that ought to bolster fundraising efforts among tech-savvy supporters.
“Today, President Trump’s campaign has launched a fundraising page that provides any federally permissible donor the ability to give – through its joint fundraising committees – using any cryptocurrency accepted through the Coinbase Commerce product,” the campaign announced.
“This addition to President Trump’s already groundbreaking digital fundraising operation marks the first time a major party Presidential nominee has embraced cryptocurrency for donations. Contribution limits and disclosure requirements for crypto donations will follow Federal Election Commission regulations,” the release continued.
“Starting today, people wanting to make federally permissible donations to the Trump campaign with crypto can do so at: https://www.donaldjtrump.com/crypto.”
The website indicates that the former president is accepting eight different types of digital currency, including Bitcoin, XRP, and USD Coin.
“Demonstrating President Trump’s success as a champion of American freedom and innovation, we proudly offer you a chance to contribute to the campaign with cryptocurrency,” the website says.
Trump’s crypto donation website notes further, “Saving our nation from Biden’s failures requires your support. As Biden piles regulations and red tape on all of us, President Trump stands ready to embrace new technologies that will Make America Great Again.”
President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee went into the 2024 election cycle with a decided financial advantage over prospective GOP nominee Trump and a beleaguered, depleted Republican National Committee, but the situation appears to be changing rapidly.
Trump and the RNC outraised Biden and the DNC in April, $76 million to $51 million, respectively, as the RNC, which is co-led now by Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump, appears to be gaining ground against its Democratic rival.
Biden’s reelection campaign reported having $192 million in cash-on-hand at the end of last month, a figure it described as higher than that of any Democratic candidate in history. However, this amount was approximately the same as what was reported at the end of the first quarter on March 30, indicating that the campaign might be spending funds as quickly as it is raising them, The Associated Press reported.
“April’s totals were also down sharply from March, when the president’s campaign and the DNC announced taking in more than $90 million,” the AP added.
Biden and his party have consistently out-fundraised his predecessor, but Trump’s fundraising received a significant boost in April, thanks to a record-setting $50.5 million raised during a single donor event early in the month. That event took place at the Palm Beach, Florida, home of billionaire investor John Paulson.
The event at John Paulson’s home was Trump’s response to a March fundraiser featuring former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, where Biden’s campaign raised $26 million. Looking ahead, Biden’s campaign is organizing a major fundraiser in Los Angeles next month, set to feature Hollywood stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
Trump and the GOP raised over $65.6 million in March and ended the month with $93.1 million in cash, the AP noted.
First Lady Melania Trump was back in the spotlight last month as she hosted a fundraising event for her husband’s campaign at their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Photos posted online by Breitbart News captured several moments during the event featuring the Log Cabin Republicans, which was Melania’s first fundraiser of the cycle, including posing with group leaders Ric Grenell, Bill White, and Bryan Eure.
At the event, Grenell, who served as the former Director of National Intelligence in Trump’s administration and was the first-ever openly gay U.S. cabinet official in history, said that Trump will win the votes of gay voters in 2024.
“Donald Trump deserves our vote,” Grenell said in quotes provided to Breitbart News. “He is the best candidate for our safety, security, and prosperity. He sees you as 100 percent equal.”
At the event, Grenell also predicted that Trump, with assistance from his wife, will garner at least 50 percent of the gay vote in 2024.
