Trump’s Interest in Board Games and Crypto
Former President Donald Trump has a known affinity for board games, particularly Monopoly. In 1989, he launched his own version, titled Trump: The Game, which offered a unique twist on the classic real-estate board game. Additionally, in 2006, he considered creating a reality TV show inspired by Monopoly. “I’ve always thought Monopoly was an amazing game,” Trump expressed in a New York Post interview regarding the show that ultimately did not materialize. Now, it appears that Trump is venturing into the realm of cryptocurrency with a new game inspired by Monopoly, as revealed by two sources with insights into the project.
A New Addition to Trump’s Crypto Initiatives
This upcoming real estate-themed game marks the latest entry in a series of cryptocurrency initiatives from Trump and his family. Their portfolio already includes non-fungible token (NFT) collections, a memecoin, and a decentralized finance project named World Liberty Financial. Moreover, they are involved in a stablecoin venture and a Bitcoin mining enterprise in which Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., hold significant stakes.
Game Mechanics and Development
According to one insider, the new Trump crypto game draws inspiration from Monopoly Go!, where players navigate a digital Monopoly board to accumulate in-game currency while constructing buildings within a virtual city. Another source, who also wished to remain unnamed, echoed this comparison to Monopoly. Both individuals provided insights on the project due to its confidential nature. Bill Zanker, a long-time associate of Trump who previously aided in launching his memecoin and NFTs, is reportedly spearheading this new game initiative.
Denials and Clarifications
Kevin Mercuri, a spokesperson for Zanker, refuted claims that the game resembles Monopoly Go! but confirmed that Zanker is indeed developing a “game” intended for launch in late April. Mercuri also labeled the Monopoly comparison as “hearsay.” Meanwhile, Hasbro, the company that owns the original Monopoly board game, clarified that it has not granted any rights for its intellectual property to any Trump-associated entity for a cryptocurrency project.
Licensing Attempts and Trademark Filings
Initially, Zanker aimed to unveil the game before Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president. In May 2024, he reportedly approached Hasbro to negotiate the acquisition of the rights for Trump: The Game, the branded version of Monopoly. However, Hasbro informed Zanker that it no longer possessed the rights to the game, which has been around for over three decades. Mercuri did not respond when asked about the timeline for the game’s development.
The Expansion of Trump’s Crypto Ventures
Zanker’s development of a cryptocurrency game is not entirely unexpected, as the gaming industry has increasingly sought to incorporate blockchain technology. A notable example of this trend is Axie Infinity, which transformed playable characters into NFTs and rewarded players with cryptocurrency. In late February, DTTM Operations, the entity responsible for managing Trump’s trademarks, filed applications to use Trump’s name for various crypto-related products, including virtual clothing NFTs and an online store for digital goods. Mercuri did not clarify whether these trademark applications were connected to Trump’s latest crypto project or how blockchain technology would be integrated.
Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest
The ongoing launch of Trump-related cryptocurrency projects has prompted discussions about potential conflicts of interest. As his sons and the Trump Organization delve deeper into the crypto space, Trump has indicated a shift in U.S. policy toward the industry. He has appointed an AI and crypto czar, initiated a strategic Bitcoin and digital assets reserve, and advocated for new legislation concerning cryptocurrencies. In a separate conversation with Fortune regarding his Bitcoin mining project, Eric Trump, the President’s son, dismissed the allegations of conflict of interest, stating, “This is something that our family believes. It’s something our family speaks about with our heart and soul.”
The Colorful Background of Bill Zanker
Bill Zanker, who is collaborating with Trump on the crypto game, has a fascinating history. In the 1980s, he utilized $5,000 from his bar mitzvah to create the Learning Annex, an unconventional educational platform offering a variety of classes, from “How to Cheat on Your Spouse” to “Hot Air Ballooning” and “Firewalking.” In 2001, he invited Trump to host an event at the Learning Annex, leading to a collaboration that resulted in a co-authored book on achieving success. Although their business relationship cooled during Trump’s 2015 presidential campaign, Zanker later approached Trump in 2022 to discuss launching NFT collections featuring the real estate tycoon’s likeness. Trump agreed, and Zanker’s team subsequently released a series of NFTs portraying the former president as various characters, including a superhero and an astronaut.
Zanker’s Role in Trump’s Memecoin
Zanker is recognized as a pivotal figure behind Trump’s memecoin, according to multiple sources familiar with the initiative. He is also listed on the formation certificate for FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT LLC, an entity linked to the cryptocurrency project. Despite several requests for an interview, Zanker did not respond.
