Donald Trump is staking his claim in the metaverse, filing a trademark for a virtual world built around his brand. The move follows previous ventures into NFTs, DeFi, and memecoins, reinforcing his strategic presence in the crypto space ahead of the 2024 election.
The Trump Organization has filed a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a ‘TRUMP’ metaverse, indicating plans to create a virtual world filled with NFTs, immersive experiences, and digital retail services.
‘The intent-to-use filing signals a clear commercial plan,’ said trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who surfaced the application.
While Trump’s relationship with crypto has been controversial, this move signals a deliberate expansion into blockchain-driven branding. He will leverage his status as the 45th and potentially 47th U.S. president to capitalize on the booming metaverse economy.
Inside Trump’s Virtual World
The filing, submitted by Michael Santucci of 500 Law, outlines an ambitious virtual ecosystem offering:
- Immersive experiences like virtual restaurants, music, and entertainment.
- Online retail selling digital furniture, beverages, jewelry, cologne, keychains, and towels.
- Simulation-based training in public service, business, civics, fundraising, real estate, construction, and hospitality management.
However, there’s a notable restriction the metaverse will only host digital content authorized by Trump himself, raising questions about NFT interoperability. This restriction could limit users’ ability to port external NFTs into the platform or transfer Trump-branded virtual goods elsewhere a feature typically associated with blockchain-based ownership.
Trump’s Crypto Playbook
This isn’t Trump’s first crypto-related trademark. Earlier this month, Trump Media and Technology Group applied to trademark six investment products tracking Bitcoin and the U.S. manufacturing and energy sectors, including Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus ETF, which has yet to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Trump’s prior NFT ventures have generated millions in sales, with collections featuring exclusive digital trading cards and limited-edition collectibles. His growing blockchain involvement suggests an ongoing strategy to integrate his brand with emerging digital economies.
Regulatory Hurdles and Political Irony
Despite the ambitious vision, Trump’s metaverse trademark is still in the early stages. According to USPTO records, the application has been accepted but not yet assigned to an examiner.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who surfaced the filing, pointed out the political irony of Trump’s request:
“The Trump Organization is asking government employees at the USPTO whom the Trump Administration previously pressured to resign or return to the office to review this trademark application.”
This highlights a contradiction in Trump’s relationship with federal agencies while reinforcing his continued reliance on regulatory approvals to advance his digital ambitions.
What’s Next? Trump’s Digital Influence Grows
While the timeline and execution of the TRUMP metaverse remain uncertain, the filing indicates Trump’s strategic push into the virtual economy, a move that could bolster his brand, appeal to crypto-friendly voters, and open new revenue streams.
With NFT markets evolving and metaverse adoption rising, Trump’s digital expansion could set new precedents for high-profile figures leveraging blockchain technology. Whether this metaverse becomes a game-changing virtual domain or a political gimmick, one thing is clear: Trump isn’t stepping away from crypto anytime soon.
