Influencer gives Trump Tesla, Rolex … and financial crime?

After Donald Trump sat down for an interview with a social media influencer whose past guests have included an accused rapist and an outspoken adult, the host gave the president a former Tesla Cybertruck along with a Rolex watch for what could be campaign money. violation.

The Trump campaign has since said it will seek guidance from the Federal Election Commission on how to handle donations. Internet celebrity Trump endorser Adin Ross has yet to publicly comment on donations related to campaign finance laws, which limit individual contributions to the political candidates they support to $3,300 – well below the value of the truck and the watch.

Ross, a 23-year-old broadcaster, has become famous for hosting interviews with guests such as Andrew Tate – who is facing charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania – and whitewasher Nick Fuentes.

He was banned from the Twitch platform after he made homophobic and racist comments there. Ross has since moved to Kick, a Twitch competition, to host his streams — and that’s where he hosted Trump for an 80-minute interview on Monday.

While far-right campaigners often heap praise on Trump, Ross passed his praise on to the former president and Republican nominee in the November White House election against Democratic vice president Kamala Harris.

“Yoooh! It’s Elon,” Trump said when Ross showed him the Tesla Cybertruck. The car was decorated with a picture of Trump with his fist raised in the air after the failed attempt to kill him on 13 July.

Trump called the Cybertruck “amazing” and “beautiful”, and he seemed equally impressed with the Rolex that Ross presented him. However, Tesla Cybertrucks start at $60,000 and can go up to $100,000 with trims. And the cheapest Rolex watches start at $5,000, meaning Ross’ gifts to Trump exceed federal limits for such political donations.

The live stream was mostly in the front seat of the car, background music playing as Ross let Trump go through the motions.

In one of them, Trump said Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West who has a history of antisemitic views, “is a very good man”.

Although Ye apologized for his comments after paying him sponsorships and cooperation, he has faced criticism from opposition groups, including the Anti-Defamation League.

You have always been a Trump supporter as well. In 2022, Trump hosted Ye and Fuentes for dinner at Mar-a-Lago — an event that impressed the former president. Trump eventually said he “never met or knew anything” about Fuentes before Ye brought him to Mar-a-Lago.

“You know, he has a good heart,” Trump said of Ye to Ross. But he’s complicated – Kanye.

The passenger seat of a car is an unusual place for a political rallying point. But Trump is still trying to reach younger male voters, and he’s got the support of a few lobbyists like Ross who are willing to help him.

skip the previous content ad

after the news release

It was the latest high-profile thing Trump has done with influencers who have a large following of gen Z men. Trump recently posted videos with Jake Paul, an unranked promoter and boxer. What is the biggest penalty in sports.

Earlier this summer, Trump sat down with Paul’s older brother, pro wrestler Logan, for an interview.

Trump’s deputy vice president, JD Vance, also follows influencers, sitting in on a podcast interview with the Nelk Boys, a group of Canadian influencers known for their controversial humor.

Online celebrities have millions of devoted followers. Ross’ streams can get up to 150,000 regular viewers, and 500,000 people tune in to his interview with Trump.

Trump told Ross that he knows “young people tend to be Democrats”.

He said to the spectators: “Go now, all you young people.”