The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a decline in bookings for DJ and personal trainer Jonnie King, prompting him to turn to trading cryptocurrency as a source of income while stuck at home. Over the past four years, King has become a devout believer in cryptocurrencies and now keeps most of his assets in them. Despite voting for Bernie Sanders in 2016 for his focus on uplifting the working class, King is now a vocal supporter of Donald Trump due to Trump’s recent embrace of crypto. For King, supporting Trump is a single vote issue because crypto is how he saves his wealth, and any threats to the industry feel like a direct attack on his livelihood and ability to support his family.
A growing faction within the cryptocurrency community is supporting Trump with open arms as he has shifted his stance on crypto leading up to the 2024 election. Despite expressing distrust in crypto in the past, Trump has recently praised the technology and taken steps to win over the crypto faithful. This includes announcing an appearance at a Bitcoin conference in Nashville, launching a new NFT project, and choosing a pro-crypto vice-presidential candidate in J.D. Vance. Many in the crypto world believe that Trump, if elected, will provide a significant boost to the industry, despite any misgivings they may have about other aspects of his platform or personal history.
The crypto community, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), is filled with pro-Trump sentiment, and money from the crypto industry is pouring into Trump’s campaign. Following Trump’s announcements and actions supporting crypto, Bitcoin saw a significant increase in price, reflecting the enthusiasm and optimism within the crypto community regarding Trump’s potential impact on the industry. Despite Trump’s past statements about Bitcoin being a scam, his recent embrace of crypto has garnered support from those who see it as a key part of their financial future.
For individuals like Jonnie King, who rely on cryptocurrencies for their livelihood, Trump’s support for the industry is a decisive factor in their political support. The ability to save and grow wealth through crypto investments is seen as essential, and any threats to the industry are viewed as direct threats to their financial security. As Trump continues to court the crypto community and make significant gestures towards supporting the industry, his popularity among crypto enthusiasts is on the rise, with many seeing him as a potential ally in advancing the interests of the crypto world.
