Former first lady Melania Trump announced the launch of her own collection of NFT (Non-Fungible Token) platform, which a significant portion of the proceeds sales going to support children aging out of the foster care system, becoming the latest high-profile figure embracing the hot NFT craze.
“I am proud to announce my new NFT endeavor, which embodies my passion for the arts, and will support my ongoing commitment to children through my Be Best initiative,” Melania’s office said in a statement.
Melania’s first NFT, named “Melania’s Vision,” is a digital watercolor artwork created by French fashion artist Marc-Antoine Coulon that “embodies Melania’s cobalt blue eyes, providing the collector with an amulet to inspire.”
In an Instagram post, Coulon said, “I am very glad and honored to collaborate in this operation with Mrs. Melania Trump. This collaboration has taken place under the best possible auspices with full artistic confidence and with great efficiency and understanding on both sides of the common expectations for such a charitable operation.”
The former first lady said she is starting a platform with plans to “release NFTs in regular intervals” starting Jan. 2022.
A Non Fungible Token (NFT) is a digital asset – are a unique piece, typically pictures, songs, or videos that are non-interchangeable units of data stored on blockchains. A blockchain is a decentralized technology behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Because NFTs are built on blockchain technology, they are effectively impossible to censor or control. While centralized NFT exchanges can censor their users, they cannot take away a person’s ownership of an NFT or their ability to trade it.
The artwork is accompanied by an audio recording by the former First Lady with a “message of hope,” in which she states, “My vision is: look forward with inspiration, strength, and courage.”
The limited-edition Melania’s Vision includes the audio recording and will cost one Solana, a cryptocurrency that runs on the Solana blockchain, for approximately $150 but can also be bought with a credit card for approximately $175 at the time of writing. The sale goes live through Dec. 31.
A portion of the proceeds from the NFT sales will “assist children aging out of the foster care system by way of economic empowerment and with expanded access to resources needed to excel in the fields of computer science and technology.”
“Through this new technology-based platform, we will provide children computer science skills, including programming and software development, to thrive after they age out of the foster community,” Melania said in the statement.
The former first lady introduced the “Be Best,” a three-pillared initiative Melania launched in 2018. Be Best focuses on children’s health and well-being, safety online, prevention of social media bullying, and the impact of the opioid crisis on children. After leaving the White House in January, Melania also followed her husband’s footsteps in establishing her own post-White House office, headquartered in Mar-a-Lago Estate, to continue working on her Be Best initiative.
Last month, Melania, who has maintained a low profile since leaving the White House, made a public appearance at the Palm Beach foster care organization, spending her Thanksgiving holiday serving her community through her Be Best initiative.
Melania also promises “a one-of-a-kind auction of historical importance” that will regularly drop on MelaniaTrump.com. Beginning next month, the former first lady will drop a “digital artwork, physical artwork, and a physical one-of-a-kind accessory.”
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on his wife’s latest venture, congratulating Melania on launching her own NFT platform.
“Congratulations to my wife, Melania. The launch of Melania’s new NFT business epitomizes our American Spirit of ingenuity, creativity, and entrepreneurship. By leveraging blockchain technology, MelaniaTrump.com will provide Melania’s fans, connoisseurs of the arts, and the public at large the ability to collect rare and limited edition pieces while benefiting children in the foster care community,” Trump said in an emailed statement released from Office 45.
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