Trump files trademark application for 'TRUMP' metaverse, which would sell NFTs and experiences related to the '45th and 47th president'

The Trump family is looking to develop a TRUMP-branded metaverse, according to a recent trademark application. The move marks its latest foray into the crypto world following multiple token sales involving NFTs, DeFi and, more recently, memecoins. According to the Gerben IP law firm, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filing on Monday was submitted on an “intent to use” basis, signaling an intent for commercial use. 

This is not the first crypto-related trademark Trump — who attempted to trademark his Celebrity Apprentice catchphrase, “You're Fired!”, two decades ago — has filed. Earlier this month, Trump Media and Technology Group applied to trademark six investment products that track bitcoin and the U.S. manufacturing and energy sectors, including Truth.Fi Bitcoin Plus ETF, which has not been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The filing, submitted by Michael Santucci of 500 Law, mentions a veritable virtual society complete with immersive experiences like virtual restaurants, music and other forms of entertainment. There will also be online retail store services that sell everything from the necessities like digital furniture and beverages to luxury items like virtual jewelry and cologne, as well as trinkets like keychains and towels. The Trump-branded virtual world will also purportedly offer “simulation-based training services,” where users can study “public service, business, civics, fundraising, real estate, construction and hospitality management.”

Unfortunately, there appears to be a stipulation — the “virtual reality-based virtual worlds” associated with the platform will be limited to hosting “only those images, texts, videos and sound files authorized by the 45th and 47th President,” raising the question of whether users will be able to port over NFTs they already own or be able to transfer Trump-banded virtual goods to other platforms, a functionality typically associated with non-fungible tokens. 

“While it remains unclear when or how this digital venture will take shape, the trademark application suggests that the Trump Organization is exploring ways to extend its brand into the rapidly growing metaverse and digital economy,” Josh Gerben, who surfaced the application filed on Monday, writes. “The irony of the filing is that the Trump Organization is asking government employees at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, all of whom the Trump Administration has put under pressure to resign and/or return to the office, to review this trademark application,” Gerben added. 

According to the USPTO, Trump’s latest trademark application has been accepted by the office but has not yet been assigned to an examiner.