In a historic moment for both politics and Bitcoin, former U.S. President Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to publicly transact with Bitcoin. On Wednesday, Trump made the payment at PubKey, a Bitcoin-themed bar located in New York City's Greenwich Village. The transaction, conducted in Bitcoin, marked a significant public endorsement from the former president.
One of the most historic transactions in #bitcoin history was just made.
— PUBKEY (@PubKey_NYC) September 18, 2024
President @realDonaldTrump buying burgers at @PubKey_NYC with @tpacchia.
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You saw it here first. pic.twitter.com/moHUIKDxej
Trump visited PubKey, which is popular among Bitcoin enthusiasts, to purchase burgers as part of National Cheeseburger Day celebrations. During his appearance, Trump praised the establishment and urged attendees to vote in the upcoming election. "Get out and vote, because if you vote, we cannot lose," Trump said to Bitcoin Magazine. "They’ve been treating you very badly at the SEC, and we’re going to treat you very fairly," he added, hinting at his views on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) scrutiny of the crypto industry.
The Bitcoin transaction, facilitated by PubKey staff, was described as quick and seamless. "It went through quickly and beautifully," Trump said of the payment. PubKey co-owner Thomas Pacchia, who escorted Trump through the bar, described the event as a milestone for Bitcoin, saying, "This was one of the most important Bitcoin transactions of all time." Pacchia further noted that Trump’s appearance showed his growing connection with the Bitcoin community, adding, "President Trump came to PubKey to connect with the Bitcoin community — to show his support."
Trump's transaction comes just days after the launch of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency project that Trump and his family are involved in. The project includes a governance token called WLFI, which was officially launched earlier this week. As Trump campaigns for the presidency in 2024, he has increasingly voiced his support for the cryptocurrency industry, promising to make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the planet."
Trump’s engagement with the Bitcoin community has ramped up in recent months, with appearances at industry events and ongoing rhetoric aimed at supporting digital assets. This Bitcoin transaction is the latest move in his efforts to align with the growing sector, which could influence the upcoming presidential race.
