NBC’s Kristen Welker confronted President Donald Trump about whether he is profiting off of the $TRUMP meme coin which was released right before his inauguration in January.

In a portion of their extended Meet the Press interview posted exclusively online, Welker noted the coin’s surge in value after Trump agreed to host a private dinner with the top 220 holders of the coin. The coin’s value went as high as $14.32 following the announcement — a 58% increase. (It currently trades at just under $11.)

A left-leaning advocacy group called State Democracy Defenders Action estimated Trump’s crypto holdings to be worth approximately $2.9 billion. And ethics watchdogs were up in arms about the dinner announcement — with numerous Democratic senators demanding a probe into what they allege is a “pay to play” scheme.

“What do you say to those who … worry you’re profiting from the presidency?” Welker asked Trump.

“I’m not profiting from anything,” Trump replied. “All I’m doing is, I started this long before the election. I want crypto. I think crypto’s important because if we don’t do it, China’s going to. And it’s new, it’s very popular, it’s very hot. If you look at the market, when the market went down, that stayed much stronger than other aspects of the market. But I want crypto because a lot of people, you know, millions of people want it.”

Welker followed up by asking Trump whether he’s cashing in on the meme coin?

“So you’re not profiting off of the cryptocurrency at all?”

“I haven’t even looked,” Trump responded

“Has your family? Welker asked.

Trump ignored that question and launched into an attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Look, if I own stock in something and I do a good job, and the stock market goes up, I guess I’m profiting,” Trump said. “But who really profits is somebody like Nancy Pelosi, who uses inside information. She worked for $175,000 a year, and that’s at the high end. And she’s worth $150, $200 million? Okay? You ought to look at Nancy Pelosi and you ought to look at some of these politicians that are stone cold crooks. I was very wealthy when I came in. Being president probably cost me money if you really look. In fact, I do something that no other president has done, they think maybe George Washington has done. I contribute my entire salary to the government, back to the government. And I’m doing it again.”

Welker tried to get Trump to commit to surrendering his crypto cash.

“So will you contribute anything you earn from crypto back to the government if that happens?”

Trump was cool to the idea.

“I never thought of that,” he said. “I mean, should I contribute all of my real estate that I’ve owned for many years if it goes up a little bit because I’m president and doing a good job? I don’t think so.”

Watch above, via NBC.

The post ‘You’re Not Profiting?’ NBC’s Kristen Welker Confronts Trump About Whether He’s Cashing In On His Meme Coin first appeared on Mediaite.

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