Public Citizen Accuses Trump of illegally soliciting Funds

Public Citizen, a U.S. nonprofit government organization, has filed a formal complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), demanding a federal investigation into President Donald Trump’s alleged promotion of a Solana-based meme token known as the “TRUMP” token.

“Federal law, rooted in the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause and codified in 18 U.S.C. § 201 and 5 C.F.R. § 2635, strictly prohibits government officials, including the President, from soliciting gifts. While the President may accept gifts under certain circumstances, the act of soliciting them is explicitly forbidden. This prohibition is reinforced by the Congressional Research Service, which clarifies that while the President is exempt from broader gift restrictions, he may not “solicit or coerce” the offering of gifts.”

 Public Citizen Accusation on ‘Trump’ Ownership

President Trump’s promotion of his “Trump Meme” via social media platforms, including Twitter and Truth Social, warrants scrutiny under this legal framework. The promotional campaign, urging purchases via the website gettrumpmemes.com, directly “solicits funds from the public” for a digital token described as a meme celebrating the President’s perceived resilience and leadership, according to the complaint.

The website itself clarifies that the meme is an “official Trump product,” largely owned by CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, with President Trump as the sole beneficiary of the controlling trust.

The website’s justification for purchase emphasizes a narrative of President Trump’s strength and leadership, framing the meme as a collectible piece of history.

However, the product itself offers no tangible good. Purchasers receive only a digital receipt on a blockchain, functionally equivalent to a donation.

Presidential Immunity Cover

Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Trump appointee, and with Huitema, Biden’s nominee at the Office of Government Ethics, the Justice Department is investigating the memecoin. The outcome remains uncertain, given the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting the president presumptive immunity from prosecution for official acts.

Notably, this decision implies that even if the Justice Department or OGE finds Trump violated the law, prosecution may be impossible. However, actions deemed unofficial while in office could still lead to consequences.

TRUMP’s market cap surged past $15 billion within 48 hours of its January 17th launch, subsequently declining to approximately $3.7 billion. Concerns persist among US lawmakers and industry experts that the president might execute a rug pull, given the team behind the token retains control of 80% of its supply.