Donald Trump struggles and seems confused in 'painful' crypto interview while trying to change topic

Donald Trump has struggled in a "painful" interview on cryptocurrency, repeatedly trying to change the topic. The former president discussed replacing the 'old' financial system with cryptocurrency during an X Spaces interview from Mar-A-Lago.

Trump, who recently revealed owning over $1 million in cryptocurrency and earning $300,000 from sales of branded Bibles, spoke to social media influencer Farokh Sarmad. When asked about the importance of America leading in crypto adoption, Trump replied: "It's so important. It's crypto. It's AI. It's so many other things. AI needs tremendous electricity capabilities beyond anything I ever heard."

Trump pledged to make the US the "crypto capital of the planet" but admitted to needing guidance from his 18 year old son Barron, who was supposed to speak but went missing. "Barron knows so much about this," said Trump. "Barron is a young guy. He's got four wallets or something. I'm saying 'explain this to me.' He knows it so well. And Eric and Don. I have a lot of respect for them."

When asked direct questions, Trump deftly switched the conversation to topics like AI needing electricity or China's influence, reports the Express US. He even drew an analogy between cryptocurrency and language acquisition, citing his own family's experience.

He said: "It's sort of like a language. I have a beautiful granddaughter, Ivanka's daughter, Arabella. She speaks perfect Chinese. Their other two children speak perfect Chinese. From a nanny who was from China."

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Trump didn't hold back in criticising the current administration, branding the Biden/Harris team as "extremely hostile" towards crypto, despite having previously dismissed it as a scam himself. "My attitude is if we don't do it, China will. We have to be the biggest and best," Trump said.

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He acknowledged the industry's growing pains, saying: "The value of this whole thing is bigger than the top 20 corporations. The numbers are gigantic. It suffers from some credibility lapses. It's very young and growing. If we don't do it other countries will do it. We have the advantage because it's me, I do believe in it."

Critics were quick to respond to Trump's comments, with one stating bluntly: "Trump doesn't know a damn thing about crypto and it's painfully obvious." Another voiced their cynicism, saying: "If this whole Trump space is just crypto grifting after a 2nd assassination attempt is absolutely sad and pathetic." A third chimed in with scepticism: "Let's be honest Trump doesn't even know what crypto is or why he's being asked to shill it."

Despite initially rejecting cryptocurrency during his time in office, Trump has since shifted his stance. His campaign now seems to embrace the concept, promoting the formation of a "crypto army."

During a live stream with Adin Ross, the 78 year old stated: "And I know a lot of very good people that are really into that world and into that market. They're smart, they're good people, and they think it's going to be very beneficial."

In his previous financial disclosure, Trump reported that his social media venture, Truth Social, was valued at $5 million to $25 million. This year, he put a price tag of over $50 million on the Trump Media and Technology Group Corp.

He has proposed that the US government should establish a strategic reserve of Bitcoin and has pledged to oppose any plans to create a Federal Reserve-controlled Central Bank Digital Currency, which is a digital version of central bank-issued currency to be used by the general public.