BAD PRESIDENT
Trump Has Already Minted a Commemorative Coin for North Korea Talks – The Internet is Freaking Out

Once again President Donald Trump has done the unprecedented – and the unacceptable. The White House Military Office, which reports to the president, has created and minted a commemorative coin memorializing Trump’s upcoming North Korea nuclear talks. This literally has never happened before.
Worse, the coin places the North Korean dictator responsible for the slaughter of countless of his own citizens, including his family members, on equal footing as the President of the United States. It even refers to Kim Jong-un as “Supreme Leader.”
Imagine being in such a rush to legitimize yourself as America’s president that you also rushed to legitimize Kim as “Supreme Leader” of the DPRK pic.twitter.com/VpwiUyaCm0
— Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein) May 21, 2018
And while that may be his official title, to have it appear on what presumably will become a part of U.S. history is being denounced by many. Others are furious their tax dollars are paying for this.
It is not known how much the entire production cost taxpayers. There were reportedly 250 minted.
The existence of the coin was first reported on by NBC’s Peter Alexander:
Less than a month to Trump-Kim summit, White House Communications Agency (WHCA) releases its “trip coin.”
This is #74 of 250 made. pic.twitter.com/UTEJg1GyWv— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) May 21, 2018
CNN’s Jim Acosta also tweeted it out:
There’s now a White House Military Office coin for the upcoming Trump Kim Jong Un summit. The North Korean dictator is referred to as “Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.” pic.twitter.com/tFAmE813Y1
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 21, 2018
The coin is just one more piece of evidence team Trump is signaling to Kim that at any cost they want a “win,” and the terms are unimportant.
Trump is setting himself up to look ridiculous if this summit fails, ergo, forfeiting leverage. https://t.co/lhgIu4ytzB
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) May 21, 2018
Vox’s Matthew Yglesias summed up his reaction in two short words:
My God https://t.co/5Np8ERJySK
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) May 21, 2018
ThinkProgress’ Ian Millhiser:
It’s kind of weird what happens when you have a president who doesn’t know anything about diplomacy but assumes it’s kinda like promoting a boxing match at a casino. https://t.co/fly7V5e1GK
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) May 21, 2018
Five months ago Trump came under fire for changing the Presidential challenge coin. He literally replaced the national motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” with his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
More responses to the U.S./North Korea coin:
I have so many questions.
for starters: what? why? https://t.co/hugLsoDrZF
— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) May 21, 2018
Mueller won’t be able to banish Trump until he destroys the coin, the orb, and the other 5 horcruxes, the identity of which have not yet leaked. https://t.co/lhgIu4ytzB
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) May 21, 2018
This kinda looks like KJU is yelling and Trump is just standing there https://t.co/yHjeAlsxP7
— John Carl Baker (@johncarlbaker) May 21, 2018
Is the democratically elected Moon Jae-in of South Korea on the other side of this coin? https://t.co/12WvjIUcnv
— Phil Elliott (@Philip_Elliott) May 21, 2018
Ok, this dream (nightmare) has just become too ridiculous & stupid.
I am really ready to wake up.
There is no way this is what the USA has become.
Minting coins to “honor” vicious dictators.
W.T.F. ??? https://t.co/yA8esmHMB7— (((STOP))) tRumpnado (@Trumpnado2016) May 21, 2018
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |