Trump Media’s $3B Crypto Gambit Sparks Alarm—And a Harvard Feud

Another day, another billionaire playing with blockchain matches. Trump Media just tossed $3 billion into the crypto arena—right as its Harvard advisors publicly questioned the move. Timing’s impeccable, really.

Wall Street’s watching this like a bad reality TV plot: a media giant diving headfirst into digital assets while academics scream ‘irresponsible.’ Meanwhile, retail traders are already placing bets on whether this moons or crashes harder than a Trump NFT.

Pro tip: When your crypto strategy makes Harvard economists blanch, maybe reconsider. Or double down—this is finance, after all. Just don’t act surprised when the SEC comes knocking.

Trump Media’s Crypto Venture Coincides with the President’s Collision with Harvard

TMTG aims to announce the offering ahead of a major crypto conference in Las Vegas, where Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, are expected to speak. 

According to the Financial Times, underwriters could include ClearStreet and BTIG. The at-the-market share sale WOULD be executed near Friday’s closing price.

BEEAKING: TRUMP Media Group aims to raise $3 BILLION for cryptocurrency investments.

$120K should be next for Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/pFiqDT4m01

Notably, this MOVE closely follows Trump’s threat to redirect $3 billion in federal research grants away from Harvard University to US trade schools. 

The administration froze roughly $2.2 billion in grants, mainly from the National Institutes of Health, after accusing Harvard of fostering antisemitism and non-compliance with federal directives. 

Meanwhile, Harvard has sued, calling the funding cuts unconstitutional. That proposal would require congressional action to reallocate funds designated for biomedical research. 

Critics argue it represents an overreach of executive power. However, supporters say it would boost vocational training in high-demand trades.

Bill Ackman Says Harvard is Mismanaging Their Negotiations w/ President Trump

“The wrong thing to do with President TRUMP is to escalate … The view of most Americans is that the federal government giving taxpayer money to a university is a privilege and not a right … President… pic.twitter.com/unrdrjrfz8

Political Optics of Parallel Funding Moves

While TMTG operates independently of the federal government, the timing and scale of its crypto ambitions have drawn scrutiny, given its close ties to the Trump family and the administration’s broader policy posture. 

There is a juxtaposition that can’t be ignored. A Trump-linked entity raising billions for digital asset investment as the administration pressures elite institutions and proposes to shift public funding toward vocational programs.

The President’s pro-crypto moves have brought notable progress for the crypto industry, particularly in the US. 

Yet, this continued crypto push from Trump-affiliated organizations does raise legitimate questions about influence, priorities, and the boundaries between private financial strategies and public policy. 

Meanwhile, the US President’s crypto ventures have been under political fire recently. Last week, the TRUMP meme coin dinner raised a lot of eyebrows. 

Several Democratic senators even held a surprise press conference to demand a full guest list.

TMTG’s portfolio already includes previous ventures in NFTs, meme coins, and crypto mining. It is also reportedly planning a crypto-focused ETF.