The first TV debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is over. The verdict is unanimous: a crushing defeat for the Democratic president. No topic on stage: crypto. In the weeks before, Donald Trump had put the industry and its fate on the election campaign agenda and made bold promises.
“I will end Joe Biden’s war on crypto,” said Donald Trump. And in doing so, he set the tone for the debate. Joe Biden wants to keep the industry small or even drive it away. “With your vote, I will keep Elizabeth Warren and her crooks away from your Bitcoin.” Anyone who is for crypto must vote for Trump. Will the Republican presidential candidate’s tactic work?
At BTC Prague – the largest Bitcoin trade fair in Europe – we asked around 20 Bitcoiners from all over the world, of all ages, women, men, especially Americans, but also Europeans: Would you vote for Trump this November? How important are the positions on Bitcoin and Co. to you?
Everyone wanted to remain anonymous. Opinions are divided and not representative. However, almost no one here would want to vote for him just because of crypto. Regardless of whether they are for or against it. Other reasons are more important. And very few people seem to believe politicians’ promises – especially Trump’s.
“People’s lives are more important than Bitcoin”
“No, I wouldn’t vote for him,” explains a 30-year-old Czech Bitcoiner. The reason: “Because he’s a wanker.” A 35-year-old miner who has been in Bitcoin since 2019 puts it more diplomatically: “I wouldn’t vote for him just because he represents positions for Bitcoin. He would be the leader of a world power. That would have an impact on many things. And he represents an ideology that I don’t subscribe to.” Another Bitcoiner, who comes from Poland, reminds us: “Bitcoin is important. But we live in times of war. People’s lives are more important. Trump wants to leave NATO. I would therefore vote against him.”
A strong disillusionment with politics can be heard almost everywhere: “I don’t vote for governments,” a 19-year-old American from an immigrant family tells us. “I am against governments and for freedom.” Or: “Elections don’t change anything,” says a 32-year-old Ukrainian developer. “Politicians don’t keep their promises anyway. Trump is just using it as a PR campaign to get more votes.”
This is often heard: “His promises for crypto are no reason to vote for him. It’s just marketing,” said a 47-year-old man who has been in Bitcoin since 2017. A US company founder who has been in the space since 2014 says: “If I vote, it’s for how I want to see the world. And neither Biden nor Trump represent my values.” Enthusiasm looks different.
“There is no better option”
Even among those who would vote for Trump, there is often a gnashing of teeth: “Both are bad candidates. But right now, Trump is the lesser evil,” a 31-year-old miner explains. A 28-year-old crypto journalist says: “Let’s be honest: If the two options are Trump and Biden, then I’m voting for Trump. Biden can’t even form a normal sentence anymore. I think crypto is important, but not decisive. Besides, Trump can say whatever he wants. That doesn’t mean he’ll actually do it.”
A Bitcoin influencer from the southern states of the United States says: “I’m considering it. I’m not yet convinced that he will do what he says. He was president for four years and was against crypto. But now the situation is this: One candidate wants to make us look like criminals. Another candidate promises to help us. That’s something to think about.”
A 62-year-old Canadian woman who has been in Bitcoin since 2019 argues similarly: “He is rude to immigrants and women, I don’t like that. But he is a businessman. And I believe in Bitcoin.” A young artist who has been in Bitcoin since 2017 says: “I would vote for Trump. There is no better option. Whatever he promises, he does. He is a businessman. When he was president, no wars were started. He knows how to deal with people like Putin. But I wouldn’t vote for him because of crypto.”
Is skepticism towards Donald Trump appropriate?
Donald Trump knows how to win over groups of voters. When he was still US President from 2016 to 2020, he allegedly told employees: “Hunt Bitcoin.” He called cryptocurrencies “nothing but hot air” and a “dangerous thing.” Over the last two years, he has become more and more open to the topic, first with his own NFTs, then more and more often with positive statements. In doing so, he also seems to be targeting donations from the crypto scene.
As cheap as the scam is, it seems to be catching on with parts of the industry. Companies and industry representatives are falling for the Republican’s meaningless promises, even having themselves photographed with him in public and speaking out in favor of him as a candidate. You can read all about the credibility of his sudden change of heart here.
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