The Wall Street Journal published an interesting report this weekend on the challenges facing corporate America as it tries to influence Donald Trump and his second-term agenda. The report notes that a variety of companies are turning to “unorthodox” ideas.
For example, according to the report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, some executives want to appear on podcasts hosted by Trump allies. Some corporate lobbyists, meanwhile, are recommending that companies clean up their websites to remove policies and language that Republicans may not like.
But of particular note, the Journal noted that CEOs are “buying the Trump family’s cryptocurrency token.”
Apparently they are not the only ones. The Washington Post reported:
Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun invested $30 million in newly elected President Donald Trump’s crypto project three weeks after the election, allowing Trump to make a potentially significant profit. Sun … is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission on charges of fraud, market manipulation and other alleged violations. He announced the investment in Trump’s project on November 25 on X.
The Post’s report added that Sun’s investment in the venture “raises questions about how and whether America’s next president could be influenced by his business ventures, and whether the crypto project, World Liberty Financial, could provide a potential opportunity for individuals to win Trump’s favor. .”
Do you think?
To be fair, Trump’s cryptocurrency project seemed problematic from the moment it was announced in mid-September, 50 days before Election Day 2024. The Republican — a longtime critic of the industry — appeared on a livestream and stated: Crypto is one of those things we need to do. Whether we like it or not, I have to do it.”
To that end, The New York Times reported that Trump had selected a curious group of business partners, including two “little-known crypto entrepreneurs with no experience running a high-profile company.” The article added: “During the livestream, he did not address the project directly, leaving the details up to the two entrepreneurs, Chase Herro and Zachary Folkman. Mr. Herro has described himself as ‘the dirtbag of the Internet,’ while Mr. Folkman taught classes on seducing women.”
But as unhappy as the venture seemed at the time, almost three months later, things look even worse as those who want to impress the new president look for a new way to get on his good side.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
