President Donald Trump has released a special-edition coin bearing his face to mark his 80th birthday as part of a licensing deal between his family and the UFC that has drawn new scrutiny of the MAGA top leader’s business dealings.The “Freedom 250” themed medals are sold in silver and gold versions on a website called Trump Coins, with prices ranging from about $250 to nearly $12,000. The pricier option comes with a stand featuring the likenesses of Trump and UFC President Dana White. The site also claims to have more than 1,000 five-star reviews.
Source: realtrumpcoins
These products are priced well above the value of their base metal content, a common feature of commemorative collectibles marketed to political supporters and brand loyalists.The Trump Organization only licenses the president’s coin branding, rather than directly manufacturing or selling them. But the partnership fits a familiar pattern: Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have previously put his name on cell phones, perfume, cryptocurrency and golf courses, raising questions about how the family profits from the presidency.The coin website claims it is selling “the only officially authorized Donald J. Trump medal on the market,” and warns that other Trump-themed products “may be illegal” and have “no actual connection” to the president.Asked about Trump’s role in designing and marketing the coins, White House spokesman Davis Ingle denied any suggestion of a conflict of interest.“Fake news continues to try to fabricate conflicts of interest, which is irresponsible,” Ingle said, adding that Trump “acts only in the best interest of the American public.”The Trump Organization did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.The coin release is a precursor to Trump’s scheduled UFC fight and has been hyped at the White House for his birthday. He even personally oversaw the construction of a large staging area on the South Lawn called “The Claw.”Two Virginia residents filed a lawsuit seeking to cancel the event, saying it was not intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States but to enrich Trump and White. A federal judge gave the government until Tuesday evening to respond.
