Washington: A 12-foot golden statue of President Donald Trump holding a Bitcoin was unveiled outside the US Capitol on Thursday. The artwork sparked both admiration and controversy.
The statue was funded by cryptocurrency investors who wanted to highlight Trump’s support for digital assets. Organisers said it was meant to start a conversation about cryptocurrency, monetary policy, and the government’s role in finance. They chose to unveil it on the same day the Federal Reserve announced a rate cut.
Supporters praised Trump online, calling him a champion of crypto. Critics argued that mixing politics with financial symbolism sends the wrong message. Still, the golden figure drew crowds and fueled debate throughout the day.
At the same time, the Federal Reserve announced its first rate cut of 2025. It lowered the benchmark rate from 4.3% to 4.1%. The Fed also said it plans only one more cut in 2026. Many investors found this disappointing.
Trump has often clashed with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, accusing the central bank of acting too slowly. The statue’s unveiling, alongside the Fed’s cautious move, underlined Trump’s sharp contrast with traditional financial policies.
