Melania Trump to focus on NFTs to help children on return to White House Melania Trump to focus on NFTs to help children on return to White House
Former First Lady Melania Trump eyes NFT expansion to aid foster children.
3 min read
Updated: Oct. 7, 2024 at 9:44 am UTC
Regine Mahaux / CC BY 3.0 US / Wikimedia. Remixed by CryptoSlate
Melania Trump plans to expand her Web3 and NFT initiatives to support foster children if she returns to the White House, continuing her engagement with blockchain technology and digital assets.
In a recent interview with Fox News, the former First Lady discussed her intentions to continue and enhance her “Be Best” initiative, which focuses on women’s and children’s well-being. She highlighted her involvement in Web3 platforms and digital collectibles to further these goals, combining technology, art, and philanthropy interests.
“After I left the White House in 2021, I established my two platforms, Web2 and Web3 blockchain platforms where I create art and collectibles,” Trump said during the interview. “With that, I established the Fostering the Future initiative, providing financial support for children from the foster care community. I have many students now in universities, and they are doing very well.”
Her platforms, MelaniaTrump.com and USAMemorabilia, offer digital art and NFT collections, including “Melania’s Vision,” her initial NFT release in 2021 that aimed to support her initiatives for children. Other collections, such as the “Head of State Collection” and the “POTUS NFT Collection,” feature depictions of significant American landmarks and historical moments, engaging a community interested in digital assets.
Melania Trump NFT challenges
However, some of her NFT ventures have faced challenges. Reports surfaced regarding the legitimacy of certain sales, including allegations that her initial NFT was purchased using funds connected to the project’s creators. The “Head of State Collection” started with a bid of $250,000 but sold for around $180,000, raising questions about market demand.
Additionally, the “Man on the Moon” NFT collection, featuring Apollo 11-themed NFTs priced at $75 each, may conflict with NASA policies prohibiting its imagery in NFTs. Only 55 of 500 of these NFTs were reportedly sold in the first week after release, indicating potential challenges in attracting buyers.
Despite these issues, Trump remains committed to her projects and plans to expand them. “If we are back in the White House, I will expand that and add more staff,” she stated, expressing intent to grow her initiatives and continue supporting foster children through computer science and software development education.
Trump’s focus on individual freedom and empowerment extends to her stance on various issues. In the interview, she emphasized the importance of individual choice and autonomy, stating, “We live in a world where everybody should have individual freedom.”
When asked about the possibility of returning to the White House, Trump expressed readiness and a commitment to continue her work. “We are ready,” she said. “We are here.”
Her ventures highlight the intersection of politics, technology, and philanthropy, raising questions about the role of political figures profiting through commercial enterprises and potential campaign finance loopholes.
However, as public figures like Melania Trump participate in the NFT market, their actions may impact public perception and regulatory attention. Still, the crypto community often debates the role of celebrity involvement, weighing the benefits of increased visibility against potential drawbacks.
Further, Trump’s ventures raise meaningful discussions about using NFTs for charitable purposes, the responsibilities of public figures in crypto, and the potential for blockchain technology to contribute to social causes.
Trump family Web3 initiatives grow
The Trump family’s foray into blockchain technology extends beyond Melania’s initiatives. Donald Trump’s own NFT collections, including digital trading cards featuring himself in various heroic poses, have garnered significant attention and sales.
In 2022, his initial NFT collection sold out within a day, generating nearly $5 million. More recently, the former president has ventured into DeFi with the launch of World Liberty Financial, a platform aimed at providing financial services through blockchain technology. The project, which includes a governance token called WLFI, has drawn both interest and scrutiny from the crypto community. While it claims to target unbanked and underserved communities, the token’s availability is limited to accredited investors, raising questions about its accessibility.
These ventures collectively demonstrate the Trump family’s growing engagement with blockchain technology, albeit with mixed reception.
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Author 
Liam 'Akiba' Wright
Also known as "Akiba," Liam Wright is a reporter, podcast producer, and Editor-in-Chief at CryptoSlate. He believes that decentralized technology has the potential to make widespread positive change.
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A businessman, politician, and media personality, Donald John Trump served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.