Donald Trump, never one to miss a branding opportunity, is now taking his name into the metaverse. His company, DTTM Operations, has filed for trademarks related to a Trump-branded metaverse and an accompanying NFT (Non-Fungible Token) marketplace. Because, of course, in the digital frontier of infinite possibilities, what the world truly needs is a virtual Trump Tower where you can buy NFT steak dinners and limo rides.
A Virtual Kingdom of Trump
According to the filings, the Trump metaverse isn’t just some run-of-the-mill digital playground. It’s a full-fledged online world where users can do everything from shopping for virtual and physical goods to enjoying a simulated ride in a Trump-branded limousine, aircraft, train, or automobile. Want to dine at a Trump restaurant? You got it. Need some life coaching from an avatar of the man himself? That’s apparently on the table, too.
But here’s where it gets interesting: The Trump metaverse will also host “public service programs” covering social issues, current events, and fundraising. Imagine a 24/7 infomercial for Trump’s political and business ventures, with just enough gamification to keep people clicking.
The NFT marketplace is another key feature. However, not just any digital content will be allowed. The trademark filing makes it clear: only images, text, videos, and sound files “authorized by the 45th and 47th President of the United States” will make the cut. In other words, it’s a tightly controlled, Trump-approved slice of the metaverse, where digital assets get the ultimate MAGA stamp of approval.
The Metaverse Hype Train Has Left the Station
Now, let’s talk about timing. The trademark filing was submitted on an “intent to use” basis, meaning Trump’s camp is gearing up for future business ventures rather than launching anything immediately. That might be wise, given that the metaverse hype has significantly cooled since its peak in 2021.
Remember when Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook as Meta and confidently declared the metaverse the future of the internet? Well, turns out the world wasn’t quite as enthusiastic. A quick glance at Google Trends shows that interest in the term “metaverse” skyrocketed in late 2021 but has been on a downward spiral ever since.
The NFT market isn’t faring much better. After the explosive bull run of 2021-2022, where digital assets were fetching millions, prices have slumped, and even top collections struggle to maintain their value. The era of pixelated JPEGs selling for absurd amounts is over, and only the most strategic projects are surviving.
Trump’s Crypto Play: More Than Just NFTs
Trump’s foray into digital assets isn’t new. He’s already launched multiple NFT collections, capitalizing on his political persona to sell limited-edition digital trading cards. But in 2024, he made an even bigger pivot, embracing crypto as a campaign issue.
At a Bitcoin conference in Nashville, he promised to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet” and vowed to fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler on his first day in office. Then, just three days before his 2025 inauguration, he launched his own memecoin, sending crypto markets into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, the Trump family isn’t sitting on the sidelines. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. have thrown their weight behind World Liberty Financial, a DeFi (Decentralized Finance) startup that aims to “make finance great again.” Melania Trump even launched her own memecoin because, well, why not?
While Trump is positioning himself as America’s first “Crypto President,” not all of his moves have been met with enthusiasm. His shift from advocating a Bitcoin reserve to pushing a broader “digital asset stockpile” has raised eyebrows, and the ongoing market turbulence—driven by looming trade wars and economic uncertainty—hasn’t helped.
The Verdict: Brilliant Business or Just More Brand Expansion?
Trump’s metaverse ambitions are classic Trump: grandiose, highly branded, and designed to appeal to his core audience. Whether it becomes a digital empire or just another overhyped Web3 project remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—if there’s money to be made and a stage to be occupied, Trump will be there.
And who knows? Maybe in the not-so-distant future, you’ll be sipping a virtual Trump-branded cocktail, in a Trump-branded penthouse, inside a Trump-branded metaverse, while watching a Trump-endorsed NFT of Trump himself.
Because in the metaverse, anything is possible. Yes, even that.
