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Irs likely to tax trump on $800 m crypto earnings

IRS Tax Implications for Trump Following $800M Crypto Sales | A Look at the Numbers

By

Omar Farooq

Nov 22, 2025, 11:52 PM

3 minutes of reading

Illustration showing a large dollar sign with cryptocurrency symbols around it, representing Trump's $800 million earnings in crypto.
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A significant financial development has surfaced involving Donald Trump's family, which reportedly amassed over $800 million from crypto asset sales in just the first half of 2025. This surge is primarily linked to the sale of World Liberty Financial tokens and the Trump memecoin.

Financial Background

The numbers are striking. A recent financial disclosure revealed that Trump's crypto holdings included about $57 million from WLFI token sales during 2024. However, this does not encompass the entire amount earned in 2025, leading to questions about the IRS's tax treatment of this substantial income.

"The IRS taxes crypto like property. When you sell coins or swap them, you owe tax on the gain just like stocks," a tax expert explains.

How Crypto Sales are Taxed

Crypto sales trigger a complex set of tax rules. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Capital Gains Tax: If tokens were held for less than a year, the tax is short-term; if over a year, it's long-term.

  • Business Income: If income is generated from launching or promoting tokens, that income is usually classified as ordinary income.

Interestingly, unrealized gains are not taxed until sold, making the actual taxable income for 2025 limited to what has been divested thus far. Since Trump resides in Florida, state income tax does not apply, leaving only federal taxes at stake.

Community Reactions

Community responses to Trump’s tax situation varied:

  • Skepticism about his willingness to pay taxes: "You think he’s gonna start paying taxes now? lol"

  • Some believe he'll exploit loopholes: "He’ll probably just skip paying taxes and nothing will happen."

  • Others argue about the implications for future accountability in political finance: "Why would the king pay taxes?"

This reflects a broader sentiment of distrust and speculation within the community regarding accountability for high-income earners in the crypto market.

Key Takeaways

  • πŸ”Ή $800M in crypto sales: Trump’s family profits linked to WLFI and memecoins.

  • πŸ”Έ Tax treatment: IRS applies typical capital gains and business income rules.

  • πŸ›‘ Community doubts: Many believe Trump might evade tax obligations.

As the IRS gears up to assess Trump's crypto income, the financial landscape for high-profile figures in the crypto space remains a point of contention. Will Trump face the same tax scrutiny as other high earners, or will he find a way around it? Only time will tell.

Eyes on Future Actions

There's a strong chance that the IRS will take a particularly close look at Trump's crypto earnings, especially given the amount involved. Experts estimate that up to 60% of his reported gains could be subject to federal taxes, adding significant pressure on Trump to address these obligations. As scrutiny increases, he may have to strategize either to comply with tax regulations or potentially face challenges that could affect his political aspirations. Observers also suggest that if he chooses to exploit existing loopholes, it might ignite a wave of backlash from various factions within the community, deeply impacting public perception of his financial responsibility.

Historical Echoes in Financial Scandals

Reflecting on the past, one can see echoes of similar situations surrounding legendary figures like Al Capone. Known for his notoriety during Prohibition, Capone was finally brought down not by his criminal activities but through tax evasion. This parallel highlights how financial misdeedsβ€”especially when entangled with public figuresβ€”can lead to unexpected outcomes. Just as Capone’s elusive transactions fueled both curiosity and disdain, Trump’s unfolding financial narrative in the crypto arena may lead to unforeseen legal predicaments, urging the need for transparency where shadows have long lingered.