Former U.S. President Donald Trump has become the first ex-president to use Bitcoin for a public transaction, marking a unique moment in both political and crypto history.
During a visit to Pubkey, a popular New York City bar known for accepting cryptocurrency, Trump bought a dozen hamburgers on September 18, paying $998.70 in Bitcoin.
He humorously called them “crypto burgers” as he handed them out to attendees.
The event was shared on social media by Pubkey and caught the attention of Bitcoin enthusiasts, including Anthony Pompliano, a notable Bitcoin advocate, who was present at the gathering.
Trump’s own social media platform, Truth Social, also featured highlights of the event.
This embrace of Bitcoin comes after Trump’s earlier criticisms of cryptocurrency, where he referred to Bitcoin as a “scam” and questioned its value.
However, his stance seems to have shifted in recent years. In addition to using Bitcoin for transactions, Trump has launched a new token through World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform linked to his family.
With just weeks left before the U.S. presidential election, this event showcases Trump’s growing involvement with digital assets as part of his broader campaign strategy.
Interestingly, Trump’s move comes at a time when cryptocurrency is gaining political attention.
His competitor, Vice President Kamala Harris, although not focused on crypto in her campaign, has expressed support for policies that foster innovation in the industry.
