Retail Investors Lose Billions On Trump Meme Coin As Insiders Cash Out

Retail buyers of the $TRUMP meme coin have lost between $4 billion and $4.5 billion since the token launched in January 2025, even as Trump linked entities collected more than $1.4 billion in royalties, licensing fees and token sales over the same period.

A Sharp Rise Followed By A Deep Collapse

$TRUMP launched in January 2025 and quickly reached a market cap near $15 billion, with its price touching around $72. By mid-2026, that value had fallen to roughly $400 million, a drop of more than 90% from its peak. Research into the token’s wallet distribution found between 764,000 and 1.48 million wallets currently sitting at a loss.

Insiders connected to Trump-linked entities reportedly captured between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion in gains by selling before the broader downturn. Trump himself earned an estimated $635 million from royalties and licensing tied to the token, along with more than $500 million from related token sales.

Exclusive Perks Fueled Early Hype

The token came with added incentives for top holders, including exclusive dinners held at a Virginia golf club in May 2025 and at Mar-a-Lago in April 2026, both promoted through Trump-linked websites. World Liberty Financial, another Trump-connected crypto venture, has also faced turbulence, with its WLFI governance token losing about 33% of its value during certain stretches.