Trump Digital Trading Cards
Trump Digital Trading Cards is a series of digital trading cards NFTs on the Polygon blockchain released by Former US President Donald Trump. The Trump Digital Trading Cards, are similar in style to collectible baseball cards and feature images of Donald Trump in different fantasy costumes and poses. The collection was designed by award-winning illustrator, Clark Mitchell. [2] [4] The Series 1 Trump Digital Trading Cards collection launched on December 15, 2022 and sold out on its first day generating $4.4 million in sales.
Donald Trump announced the launch of a Series 2 collection of the Trump Digital Trading Cards on April 18, 2023. [6]
Series 1
Overview
On December 15, 2022, former President Donald Trump released the Trump Digital Trading Cards collection of 45,000 fantasy non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through Truth Social, the social media site he founded in 2021. The collection features Trump in a boxing ring, preparing to wrestle, as a race-car driver, an astronaut, and on a football field. Each card has his presidential number, 45, stamped on it.[6]
The collection sold out in less than a day, generating $4.4 million in sales. The collection then trended on OpenSea and saw over 6000 ETH in volume less than a week after its release. [6] [1]
The Trump Digital Trading Cards, which are similar in style to collectible baseball cards and feature images of Trump, were originally priced at $99 per each with Ethereum or fiat currency on Polygon. The collection also has a 10% royalty. [1] On December 17, 2022, Trump Digital Trading Card #5809 sold for 37 ETH (~$42,000) on Opensea.[7]
Trump has previously stated that he is "not a fan" of cryptocurrency, but he promoted the collection on Truth Social, saying it would make a great Christmas gift.
The collection is Trump's first official NFT project, however his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump released her own debut NFT collection, "Cobalt Blue Eyes," in 2021.
The collection saw over 00 ETH in volume in secondary sales on OpenSea less than 12 hours after its release. [1]
Benefits & Sweepstakes
Customers who purchase 45 NFT Trump Digital Trading Cards at once are offered a guaranteed ticket to a gala dinner with Trump as part of the checkout process. Purchasers of the digital trading cards are also entered into sweepstakes for the chance to win experiences with Trump, such as an individual zoom call, group zoom call, dinner in Miami, group cocktail hour, and one hour of golf with Trump. NFT holders also have the chance to win a limited edition signed photographs of Donald Trump. Holders also have the chance to win one of the 25 rare gold Digital Trading Cards that were digitally signed by Donald J. Trump. [3]
The Sweepstakes is open to US Citizens 18 years or older. While NFT holders are entered into the sweepstakes it is possible to join the sweepstakes without acquiring an NFT. [5]
Design
The collection of NFTs was designed by award-winning illustrator Clark Mitchell who has worked with brands including Star Wars, Hasbro, Mattel, Marvel, Time Magazine, Coors, Budweiser, Disney, Corona, and Coca-Cola. He has also worked with the NBA, NFL, MLB, movies, musicians, and professional athletes. [3]
Rarity
There are 45,000 cards in the collection. Some of the cards are one-of-one’s, while others will are limited to 2, 5, 7, or 10 copies. [3]
Donald Trump's Earnings
A filing submitted on Friday, April 14, 2023, from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics shows that Donald Trump has made anywhere from $100,001 to $1 million from sales of Trump-branded non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The filings were first reported by ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). [8]
According to the filing, Trump holds the position of "manager, president, secretary and treasurer" at CIC Digital LLC and CIC Ventures LLC. On the official Trump Trading Cards website, it says that CIC Digital LLC allowed NFT INT LLC, the company behind the NFT project, to use Trump's likeness, name and image under a paid licensing agreement.
Series 2
On April 18, 2023, Donald Trump announced the launch of Series 2 of the Trump Digital Trading Cards NFT collection on his social media platform Truth Social. The collection includes 47,000 cards. There will be no more than 10 copies of each card. Like the Series 1 Collection, the cost to mint a card is $99. Like Series 1 the collection was designed by illustrator Clark Mitchell. [9] [5]
Benefits
For Series 2, those who purchase 47 cards will be invited to a gala dinner with Donald Trump at his members-only resort Mar-a-Lago. The first 50 people to acquire 100 cards with cryptocurrency in a single transaction will receive a one-of-one digital trading card as well as an invite to Trump's gala dinner. [3] [10]
The MugShot Edition
On December 12, 2023, Donald Trump launched a third release of his Trump Digital Trading Cards called The MugShot Edition. The Trump Digital Trading Cards: MugShot Edition is a curated collection of 47 portraits that celebrate Donald J. Trump's career in the aftermath of Donald Trump's arrest and mugshot. According to the CollectTrumpCards website the collection "introduces new characters and emotive banners with powerful quotes, enriching the theme "never surrender" and bringing Presidential moments to life with vibrant artistry." Some cards are autographed by Donald Trump and some cards are also one-of-ones.
Benefits
Buyers who purchase 47 Digital Trading Cards Or More (in a single transaction), receive a piece of the suit Donald Trump wore when he was arrested as well as a dinner with Donald Trump at his members-only resort Mar-a-Lago. Buyers will receive a card with a piece of President Trump's Suit from the MugShot. 2,024 are available with different rarities with some autographed. Buyers also receive a limited commemorative dinner NFT Card, Artist Clark Mitchell signed poster, commemorative hoodie, & presidential pen given out at the Gala Dinner. [3]
Buyers who purchase 100 Donald Trump-themed NFTs with cryptocurrency at once receive additional benefits. VIP Gala Dinner tickets grant premium seating and a pre-dinner cocktail reception with the former president at Mar-a-Lago. Two physical trading cards featuring pieces of his "Mugshot" suit boast varying rarity and a potential autograph. Collectors also receive commemorative dinner NFTs, Artist Clark Mitchell signed posters, presidential pens, and hoodies.
Pricing
Each Trump Digital Trading Card was priced at $99 USD not including the gas fee required to interact with the Polygon blockchain. There is a 4.5% Fulfillment & Service Fee added to each credit card purchase. [5]
Effect of Assassination Attempt on Price
On July 13, 2024, in Butler County, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump was shot and injured during a rally speech in an assassination attempt. The incident also resulted in the death of one spectator and critically injured two others. [11]
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and I immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Mr Trump recounted hours later on his social-media site. “Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”[11]
Following the failed assassination attempt, the floor price of original Trump Digital Trading Cards increased. The NFT collectibles on Polygon rose to 933 MATIC ($502), according to data from multiple NFT marketplaces. Since then, the floor price has stabilized at around 762 MATIC ($410), based on data from the NFT marketplace Magic Eden. Days prior, these NFTs were trading at approximately $228 each. Additionally, the second series of Trump Digital Trading Cards saw a 20% increase to 163 MATIC ($233). [12]