What is Melania's NFT marketplace?

A Non Fungible Token (NFT) is a digital asset – typically pictures, songs, or videos – bought in an online marketplace and stored on the blockchain, a secure public ledger. Blockchain allows anyone to verify the NFT’s authenticity and keeps a record of who owns what.

An NFT named Melania’s Vision can be bought between 16 and 31 December with the SOL cryptocurrency or an old-fashioned credit card.

Melania, 51, joins a growing list of celebrities offering lucrative digital memorabilia. Earlier this year, Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi, Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, and American football player Tom Brady launched their collections of NFTs. Singer Justin Bieber and K-pop group BTS have also dived in.

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Melania in the spotlight after shying away from it for a year

Erstwhile first lady Melania Trump has finally acquiesced to making peace with the spotlight after almost a year with the launch of her NFT. She has maintained an extremely low profile after her exit from the White House.

This is Melania’s first venture since leaving the White House almost a year ago.

‘Melania’s Vision’ for her new venture

An irony-free statement from her office says it is “a breathtaking watercolor art by Marc-Antoine Coulon, and embodies Mrs. Trump’s cobalt blue eyes, providing the collector with an amulet to inspire.”

“The limited-edition piece of digital artwork will be 1 SOL (approximately $150) and includes an audio recording from Mrs. Trump with a message of hope.”

“I am proud to announce my new endeavor, which embodies my passion for the arts, and will support my ongoing commitment to children through my Be Best initiative,” Melania is quoted as saying. “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.”

The statement notes that “a portion” of the proceeds from Melania’s NFTs, which will be released regularly at MelaniaTrump.com, will support children aging out of the foster care system. But it does not say where the rest of the money will go.

Erstwhile First Ladies and their history with art

Former first lady Jackie Kennedy was a noted art lover who negotiated a temporary exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, Mona Lisa, in Washington and New York. Michelle Obama sat for a portrait by artist Amy Sherald that draws crowds on a nationwide tour.

Melania’s Vision receives Twitter backlash.

Melania’s announcement on Thursday was met with some skepticism. Richard Hine, a novelist, commented on Twitter: “I’m not saying most #NFTs are scams operated by grifters and money launderers. I’m just saying Melania Trump is launching an #NFT.”

Also implied in the Twitter response was the accusation that the Trump’s were ‘cashing in’ on political success. Also hailed as a ‘pedestrian’ venture of no significance to politics or art, Twitter-nazis also celebrated the launch of Melania’s NFT as the ‘next publicity stunt in the pro-Trump propaganda’ that has been ensuing ever since Biden assumed the office of president.

A tweet by @OceansAngela dated December 16th reads:

“Melania Trump – TFG’s biggest supporter and her NFT is another way to grift the uneducated. She never cared about children before.”

The tweet was followed by the following caricature inspired by Melania’s olive green coat bearing the legend “I don’t care, do you?” that had invited hell’s wrath in the form of backlash.