Trump and Jake Paul face off in TikTok at Bitcoin 2024 conference

Former president praises Jake Paul’s boxing skills, promises pro-Bitcoin policies at Nashville conference

KARACHI:

Former President Donald Trump has posted his seventh TikTok, showcasing a playful face off with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at the Bitcoin Conference 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday.

The TikTok video begins with a voice-over and caption stating, "POV: 100 days left before President Trump delivers another knockout." In the clip, Jake Paul comments on Trump's stance, saying, "He's got a good stance. Low key he got a jab, I think." Trump responds with, "That's pretty good," and adds, "We're not messing with this guy."

@realdonaldtrump

100 days left to save America @Jake Paul

♬ original sound - President Donald J Trump

Trump was recently in attendance at the Bitcoin Conference, which has drawn a significant crowd to Nashville. During his keynote address, Trump mentioned Paul, praising his boxing abilities and discussing his upcoming fight with Mike Tyson. "Jake Paul... You don't wanna fight this guy. He's got a big fight coming with Mike Tyson. But he's glad he didn't fight Mike when Mike was 19. He told me that today. But he's a fantastic guy. A very talented guy in a lot of ways," Trump said.

In addition to his light-hearted exchange with Jake Paul, Trump made significant statements about cryptocurrency. Once a cryptocurrency sceptic, Trump vowed on Saturday to be a "pro-bitcoin president" if elected in November, seeking backing from an industry frustrated by US regulations. "The Biden-Harris administration's repression of crypto and bitcoin is wrong, and it's very bad for our country," Trump declared, drawing cheers from the conference attendees.

Trump likened cryptocurrencies to the growth of the "steel industry of 100 years ago," emphasising that "Bitcoin stands for freedom, sovereignty, and independence from government coercion and control." He pledged that if he were in the White House, he would not allow the US government to sell its bitcoin holdings, proposing to establish a strategic national bitcoin stockpile. "This will serve in effect as the core of the strategic national bitcoin stockpile," Trump stated.

Trump warned, "If we don't embrace crypto and bitcoin technology, China will, other countries will, they'll dominate, and we cannot let China dominate." He emphasised his desire for crypto to be "mined, minted, and made in the USA."

Read also: Trump assures Christians this election is their last vote

Addressing the critical role of electricity costs in cryptocurrency mining, Trump vowed to make US energy the cheapest "of any nation on Earth" by increasing fossil fuel production and nuclear energy. "We'll be doing it in an environmentally friendly way, but we will be creating so much electricity that you'll be saying, 'Please, please, Mr. President, we don't want any more electricity,'" he promised.

Trump also announced his intention to fire Gary Gensler, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), on his first day in office. Gensler has been a frequent target of outrage in the cryptocurrency industry over his cautious approach to implementing regulations. The crowd roared with approval at the proposal, prompting Trump to joke, "I didn't know he was that unpopular." He reiterated, "On day one, I will fire Gary Gensler!" with the crowd erupting again.

Trump also targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, who is set to replace Biden atop the Democratic ticket following the 81-year-old president's unexpected exit from the campaign. "We have to fight and we have to win, and I pledge to the Bitcoin community that the day I take the oath of office, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris's anti-crypto crusade will be over, it will end, it'll be done," Trump told the crowd. "You're going to be very happy with me."