Public Citizen, a U.S.-based non-profit, has called for a federal investigation into President Donald Trump and his promotion of the TRUMP meme coin. The complaint, submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), claims Trump may have violated laws prohibiting the solicitation of gifts by the public. Unlawful Gift Solicitation The TRUMP token, mostly owned (80%) by CIC Digital LLC, a Trump Organization affiliate, has raised concerns about enabling untraceable foreign transactions. Public Citizen argues that the U.S. President blatantly promoting it could be considered an unlawful gift solicitation under federal laws, including 18 U.S.C. § 201 and 5 C.F.R. § 2635. The official complaint cites a January 2024 tweet by Trump promoting the token, where Public Citizen notes that while the President can accept gifts, soliciting them for personal gain is prohibited. They argue that the tweet and promotion through Truth Social ask for money in exchange for a digital receipt with no tangible product. Concerns About Foreign Influence Experts have criticized the token as lacking value, with the complaint likening the transaction to a donor sending a check for digital confirmation. Public Citizen also raised concerns about foreign influence, citing the difficulty of tracking cryptocurrency transactions. They have also urged the DOJ and OGE to investigate whether these actions violate the Emoluments Clause, which restricts government officials when it comes to accepting gifts by foreign entities. The non-profit is calling for immediate action if the promotion of the meme coin is deemed an illegal solicitation.
