In news that no one ever asked for: Melania Trump is officially stepping into the non-fungible token business as her first public project since leaving the White House.
On Twitter, the former US First Lady announced the launch of the “Melania Trump NFT platform”, which will “release NFTs in regular intervals on her website”.
“I am proud to announce my NFT endeavour, which embodies my passion for the arts and will support my ongoing commitment to children through my Be Best initiative,” Trump said in the statement. “Through this new technology-based platform, we will provide children (with) computer science skills, including programming and software development, to thrive after they age out of the foster community.”
The first NFT, titled “Melania’s Vision”, is a watercolour painting by illustrator Marc-Antoine Coulon. According to the announcement, the piece was chosen to embody “Mrs. Trump’s cobalt blue eyes” and will come with an audio recording from Melania with a “message of hope”. How inspiring!
Other pieces sold on the site will include “one-of-a-kind” items of historical importance, from digital artwork to physical artwork, and one-of-a-kind accessories.
Perhaps the next piece will be a digital copy of Melania’s insolent ‘I really don’t care’ jacket, which she wore to visit a child detention centre in 2018? Or an AI version of her theorised body double, who allegedly stands in for her at Donald Trump’s political engagements? Lucky us.
The platform – run by social networking platform Parler – will accept both SOL cryptocurrency and credit payments through crypto site MoonPay, with the first sale beginning at 1 SOL ($150). Melania has yet to specify which portion of the proceeds will be donated through her Be Best initiative.
Read Melania’s full statement below.