Trump Becomes First President to Accept Bitcoin Lightning Payments for Campaign Donations
In a historic move, Donald Trump became the first US president to accept Bitcoin Lightning Network payments as campaign donations. This announcement is an important step toward integrating Bitcoin into mainstream politics and highlights President Trump’s commitment to advancing the future of Bitcoin in the United States.
Trump’s campaign has partnered with OpenNode, a leading Bitcoin and Lightning Network infrastructure provider, to facilitate these donations. Supporters can now contribute to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign using Bitcoin through the Lightning Network, a technology designed to enable fast and cheap transactions.
At the Libertarian National Convention last weekend, Trump emphasized his commitment to creating a Bitcoin-friendly environment in the United States, saying, “I will ensure that the future of cryptocurrency and Bitcoin is created in the United States.” He said he would “support self-custody of the country’s 50 million cryptocurrency holders.”
Trump’s support for Bitcoin extends beyond campaign donations. In the same speech, President Trump made a historic promise to commute the sentence of Silk Road founder and early Bitcoin pioneer Ross Ulbricht if he is elected president.
“I’ve already served 11 years,” he said. “We will take him home.”
Becoming the first president in U.S. history to receive bitcoin as a campaign contribution highlights Trump’s broader strategy to appeal to the more than 50 million cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors in the country. By engaging with the Bitcoin community, the leading presidential candidate has further established himself as a forward-thinking leader who embraces technological advancements and financial freedom.
Just yesterday, current US President Joe Biden vetoed a pro-Bitcoin bill that would have given Bitcoin a major win, further demonstrating his reluctance to support the industry. The bill Biden vetoed would have allowed highly regulated financial firms to store bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
For more information about Trump’s Bitcoin campaign donations, visit his website here.
