Melania Trump announces new NFT platform, puts first token up for sale

A portion of the proceeds will go to charity, the former First Lady said.
A portion of the proceeds will go to charity, the former First Lady said. Photo credit: Google / MelaniaTrump.com

Melania Trump is the latest celebrity to jump on the NFT bandwagon, announcing a platform which will release new tokens at regular intervals.

The former US First Lady's move into the crypto realm will benefit charity as well as herself, she said, with a "portion" of the proceeds going to support foster children.

"I am proud to announce my new NFT endeavour which embodies my passion for the arts and will support my ongoing commitment to children through my Be Best initiative," Trump said in a statement.

"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 first NFT, available for just two weeks, is a watercolour image of her eyes by artist Marc-Antoine Coulson.

Anyone who buys the NFT, entitled 'Melania's Vision', also gets a voice message from Trump which states: "Look forward with inspiration, strength and courage."

Each token costs one sol, the currency of the Solana blockchain which they are stored on. Currently, that's the equivalent of around NZ$268. 

The blockchain currently shows around 540 have been sold of the "limited edition" NFT so far.

According to CNN, the former First Lady's NFT platform is powered by Parler, a controversial social network that is favoured by far-right activists and conspiracy theorists.

Parler was removed by both Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store in early January after it was used to help incite violence during the January 6 attack on the Capitol building in Washington DC.

It's since been reinstated to the App Store by Apple, but remains unavailable on Android.

Earlier this week Stan Lee fans revolted against an announcement one of the comic book legend's creations was going to feature in a new collection of NFTs.

Irate followers of the late Marvel supremo blasted it as defiling his memory, with one accusing the company behind it of "pissing on his grave".