Purchasers of a nonfungible token (NFT) called “Mugshot” released by Donald Trump have expressed their intention to have dinner with the former president at his Florida residence. On May 8, numerous crypto users took to social media to announce their plans to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home as part of the agreement when they bought digital trading cards featuring his mug shot from his surrender at Fulton County Jail in Georgia. It is important to note that the event was not listed on Trump’s official website, and the platform selling the NFTs was not directly affiliated with his campaign. Brandon Davis, a user known as X, mentioned that some supporters of Richard Heart’s Hex blockchain, also known as “Hexicans,” will be attending the dinner.
The mug shot featured in the NFT was taken when Trump surrendered to authorities in August 2023 after being indicted for charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. This mug shot is the first of its kind by a current or former U.S. president. In December 2023, the former president announced that individuals who purchased at least 47 Mugshot digital trading cards for $99 each would be invited to an in-person dinner at Mar-a-Lago. The number 47 is significant as it refers to Trump’s intention of becoming the 47th U.S. president.
It is worth noting that the former president is currently facing a criminal trial in New York for falsifying business documents related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. This is a separate case from the charges he faces in Georgia, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Trump has been attending trial proceedings in New York since jury selection began on April 15. However, the court is not in session on Wednesdays, as Judge Juan Merchan, who presides over the case, handles other matters on those days.
As the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, Trump has been openly criticizing Justice Merchan and the prosecutors handling his case. The judge has reprimanded Trump 10 times for discussing witnesses and court staff with reporters and on social media, warning that he may face jail time if he continues.
It remains uncertain whether NFTs or cryptocurrency will be topics of discussion at the Mar-a-Lago dinner. Trump has previously stated that he never owned Bitcoin but has accepted crypto payments for his branded merchandise, including sneakers. Cointelegraph reached out to the Trump campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
Before becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump made a few public statements about cryptocurrency, including expressing his opposition to a U.S. central bank digital currency if he were elected president. It is likely that he will face President Joe Biden in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election in November.