Former U.S. President Donald Trump has taken legal action against The New York Times, filing a staggering $15 billion lawsuit. The primary claim? Trump alleges that the newspaper’s coverage negatively impacted his cryptocurrency ventures, including his meme coin project, and tarnished his broader business empire. This dramatic legal battle brings new intrigue to the ever-evolving intersection of politics, media, and digital finance.
Trump vs. The New York Times: A $15 Billion Dispute
Filed in a Florida federal court, Trump’s lawsuit accuses The New York Times of publishing false and damaging articles, as well as a book, in 2024. According to his legal team, these publications diminished public perception and caused economic losses. Interestingly, the alleged negative coverage predates the launch of Trump’s Solana-based meme coin, which debuted in January 2025.
Trump’s token initially experienced rapid success, skyrocketing to a valuation of $73 billion, bolstered by optimism surrounding his potential return to the political arena. However, the coin’s popularity has waned, plummeting over 88% to a market cap of $8.6 billion as of now. While Trump claims the media’s reporting led to the decline, critics argue that the project’s speculative nature was the primary culprit behind its volatility.
Expanding Trump’s Digital Business Ventures
While his meme coin faces challenges, Trump’s other crypto endeavors hold promise. For example, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the Trump family’s blockchain platform, has seen its governance token surge in value following a recent market debut. This achievement increased the Trump family’s net worth by nearly $6 billion.
Additionally, Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns the social network Truth Social, has been actively investing in blockchain and financial technologies. These efforts underscore how cryptocurrency and blockchain have become integral to Trump’s personal brand and business portfolio.
Meme Coin and AI Market Connections
The lawsuit raises questions about the timing of Trump’s claims. It came shortly after The New York Times released an investigation linking World Liberty Financial’s growth to a geopolitical deal involving AI chip technologies between the U.S. and the UAE. This report further ties Trump’s business success to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and on-chain governance systems.
Notably, industry voices like Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov have hinted at potential collaborations with the Trump administration. Such partnerships could bring groundbreaking innovations in government services, Wall Street integration, and even blockchain-powered voting systems.
What’s Next for Trump’s Cryptocurrency Ventures?
Despite the ongoing legal saga, Trump’s influence within the cryptocurrency sector is undeniable. His ventures continue to attract attention, and many are watching to see how this lawsuit plays out.
For investors looking to explore cryptocurrency solutions themselves, platforms like Coinbase provide accessible ways to begin trading digital currencies. As Trump tries to shape his legacy in both politics and digital finance, the outcome of this high-profile lawsuit could set a precedent for the intersection of media, blockchain, and the law.
