Trump to Address Bitcoin Conference Despite The Assassination Attempt
Former United States PresidentDonald Trump will speak at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, after surviving an assassination attempt on July 13 in Pennsylvania. This confirmation comes from David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine and one of the event’s organisers.
Trump is Reportedly “In Good Spirits”
I have just spoken with the President’s team. He is in good spirits and is excited to see you all in Nashville and deliver a speech that is heard around the world.
— David Bailey🇵🇷 $0.65mm/btc is the floor (@DavidFBailey) July 14, 2024
In a July 14 post on X, David Bailey stated that he has spoken with the President’s team and that Trump “is in good spirits and is excited to see you all in Nashville and deliver a speech that is heard around the world.” One user on X commented on his post, stating, “I hope you have hired someone who knows how to run an event around presidential level security at top-tier threat assessment…prepare to be disrupted.” Bailey responded, “We have the best in the business plus a massive secret service presence.”
The attempt on Trump’s life occurred during a political rally in Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old attacker shot him in the right ear. The attack, which left Trump injured but not critically, raised questions about his participation in scheduled events. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was quickly rushed away by the Secret Service in an armoured vehicle following the shooting. The FBI has identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Conference Details and Security Measures
We know you have questions about security and what to expect at this historic event. We are actively engaged with our security teams and are fully cooperating with all the relevant parties to ensure a safe event. Please be patient with us as we get this information out 🤝
— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) July 14, 2024
The Bitcoin Conference will run from July 25 through July 27, with Trump expected to speak on the last day. His campaign team also confirmed that he will attend the Republican National Convention starting on Monday. According to David Bailey, additional security is expected at the Bitcoin conference, which is preparing for 20,000 attendees. “We are proud to host [Trump] and to share the solidarity of the global Bitcoin community,” the conference’s official Twitter (aka X) account stated Sunday. Organisers added they “are actively engaged with our security teams and are fully cooperating with all the relevant parties to ensure a safe event.”
Following the failed assassination attempt, TeslaCEOElon Musk and TronFounderJustin Sun publicly endorsed Trump in the race for the White House. Musk posted on X, endorsing Trump and wishing him a speedy recovery. At the same time, Sun stated that the former President is a better choice for the crypto industry and can ensure fairer treatment.
Trump’s chances of winning the U.S. presidential election improved following the incident. Data from Polymarket shows that the ‘Yes’ shares of the contract on whether Trump will win the election rose from $0.60 to $0.70, indicating a 71% chance of victory in November. Earlier this year, Trump’s stance on crypto shifted from scepticism to support, recognising the need for regulation in the space. This growing acceptance is evident in his campaign’s openness to crypto donations, as demonstrated by his team’s beginning to accept contributions to cryptocurrencies through Coinbase in May. Trump has also committed to preventing the creation of a central bank digital currency in the U.S., viewing it as a threat to freedom, and has pledged to protect Bitcoin from critics like Senator Elizabeth Warren and excessive regulatory measures.
Last year’s Bitcoin conference saw participation from several crypto-friendly political voices, including the independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Republican Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. This year, Kennedy is slated to return alongside Lummis, and Tennessee’s Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are also expected to appear. In addition, onetime presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is scheduled to speak at the conference.
The former president has appealed to crypto holders on the campaign trail, accepting crypto donations in May after signalling he’s “good” with crypto now at a Mar-a-Lago event for holders of his Polygon-based NFT collection. Last month, Trump specifically backed Bitcoin miners. As other Republicans openly embrace crypto, some have followed in Trump’s footsteps, such as Blackburn, who announced her re-election campaign will accept crypto donations last week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Trump’s commitment to attending the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville highlights his resilience and growing engagement with the crypto community, setting the stage for a significant event amid heightened security.
