President Donald Trump is known for going off script during speeches and events, usually at his own folly critics say.
During a meeting with crypto executives at the White House, he did exactly that, creating an awkward moment the internet can’t let go of.
Trump schmoozed and talked up the tech leaders as he should. They’ve helped enrich him and his family, who have made almost $1.5 billion dollars on crypto currency investments since the start of his second term in office, news outlets reported.
It’s something his opponents have pointed to as one of the most egregious examples of the abject corruption and conflicts of interest permeating the Trump White House.
‘I Named it After Myself’
In addition to urging lawmakers to pass major cryptocurrency legislation, Trump crowed about a digital money bill he signed into law in 2025.
“One year ago, this summer I signed landmark legislation known as the Genius Act,” Trump boasted.
Trump: One year ago this summer, I signed landmark legislation known as The Genius Act. I named it after myself. pic.twitter.com/qXqsxLBYJl
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 19, 2026
Then he stopped and thought about it for a second and couldn’t help himself. He ad-libbed a joke that went over like a lead balloon.
“I named it after myself,” Trump bragged, as the men around him forced a chuckle. “I didn’t want to use my name, so I just called it Genius Act.”
The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, known as the Genius Act, establishes the first regulatory guidelines for U.S. dollar-backed digital currency, setting rules for reserve backing, transparency, and consumer protection,
Social media saw right through the tech bros aligned with Trump.
“What made these weak, weak men stand with Trump? It must be a horrible life to succumb to. They stand with Trump and actually giggle and laugh,” an X user observed.
This commenter wasn’t buying Trump’s narcissism either. “That is the last word I would ever associate with Donald. It’s just wrong.”
Others piled on.
“The babbling idiot strikes again.”
This poster didn’t mince words, “Laughing cuz they know he’s just full of s***.”
The Genius Act
The Genius Act is a double-edged sword. It did create important federal regulations and boosted U.S. debt demand. But it also excludes federal deposit insurance, bans yield payments to users, and leaves possible gaps in tracking money laundering operations.
Crypto executives’ meeting with Trump also comes as they push for new friendlier legislation called the Clarity Act.
Trump voided mentioning important questions surrounding the bill, but he urged Congress to pass it. He called it “very, very structured legislation, which will keep us ahead of China,” The New York Times reported.
The House passed it last year, but it’s facing trouble in the Senate. Democrats want the bill to include rules against public officials, including the president, selling crypto currencies.
Since returning to office for his second term last January Trump and his family have made $1.4 billion on cryptocurrency, including the digital assets startup World Liberty Financial and the $TRUMP memecoin.
His merchandising campaigns are mind-boggling. During his presidential campaign he sold everything from watches, bibles and gold sneakers to commemorative coins, digital trading cards and cryptocurrency.
Then once in office again, in addition to the bitcoin, he’s hawked Trump-branded fragrances, guitars and even a mobile phone service.
