Trump Bitcoin debt repayment video goes viral! US debt of 35 trillion turns into crypto checks sparking discussions

Crypto Rover exposes a video of Trump proposing to use Bitcoin to pay off U.S. debt, suggesting the issuance of “cryptocurrency checks” to eliminate the $35 trillion burden. The video originates from a 2024 speech, with a casual tone not meant as policy. With a market cap of $1.8 trillion, Bitcoin would need to surge 20 times to cover $35 trillion in debt. Although impractical, it reflects Bitcoin’s entry into mainstream political discourse.

The absurd contrast between $35 trillion debt and $1.8 trillion market cap

(Source: X)

Trump’s speech was originally presented humorously, emphasizing Bitcoin’s growth rather than outlining a serious repayment strategy. However, in the current market environment, repeated playback of this clip has given it new meaning. The segment comes from a mid-2024 public speech by Trump focused on Bitcoin, where the audience already showed support for digital assets. At that time, U.S. national debt was approaching $35 trillion. By early 2026, this figure had risen further, intensifying debates over fiscal sustainability.

From a practical perspective, this concept remains entirely speculative. Paying off national debt with Bitcoin would require Bitcoin’s total market cap to far exceed the size of U.S. debt. Currently, Bitcoin’s market cap is about $1.8 trillion, while U.S. debt exceeds $35 trillion, meaning Bitcoin’s value would need to surge roughly 20 times to cover the total debt. This implies Bitcoin’s adoption and capital concentration would have to far surpass current levels.

More critically, even if Bitcoin’s market cap truly reached $35 trillion, executing a “debt repayment with Bitcoin” plan would still be an unsolvable challenge. The U.S. government would need to first acquire enough Bitcoin—either through forced confiscation (violating property rights) or large-scale market purchases (driving prices higher, making the plan less feasible). Additionally, would creditors (China, Japan, pension funds, etc.) accept Bitcoin instead of dollars? Most creditors seek stable returns and are unlikely to accept highly volatile crypto assets.

Three impossible obstacles to debt repayment with Bitcoin

Market cap gap: BTC $1.8 trillion vs. U.S. debt $35 trillion, nearly 20x difference

Acquisition difficulty: Government must forcibly seize or buy on the market, both impractical

Creditor rejection: Countries like China, Japan, etc., would not accept volatile assets as substitutes for dollar bonds

Governments are also constrained by legal, monetary, and geopolitical factors, making such transfers difficult. Therefore, this notion is more of a political symbol than a feasible economic strategy. Trump’s comment was originally humorous but has been amplified in crypto communities as a kind of “policy hint.”

How political rhetoric manipulates crypto market sentiment

Even joking remarks from the U.S. president carry symbolic weight. The Bitcoin market is highly sensitive to political tone, especially when leaders signal openness toward cryptocurrencies. Trump’s broader pro-crypto statements have already influenced market sentiment, particularly among retail investors. Thus, even without any policy framework, such comments are often interpreted as indirect support.

Trump’s use of Bitcoin aligns with his broader pattern of combining populist messaging with emerging technology themes. Mentioning Bitcoin attracts a younger, digitally native audience and hints at breaking away from traditional financial orthodoxy. However, political statements do not automatically translate into legislation or actual implementation. Short-term market reactions may be emotional, but the ultimate policy outcome depends on institutional processes, not hollow slogans.

For traders and investors, the key distinction lies in narrative versus actual execution. Headlines related to politicians often boost short-term sentiment but rarely alter long-term fundamentals. Bitcoin’s price and adoption still depend on macro liquidity, regulation, and institutional behavior. Such comments may boost optimism temporarily but do not change supply mechanisms or demand fundamentals.

The timing of this video’s resurgence is noteworthy. 2026 is the U.S. midterm election year, with Trump under significant political pressure. In this context, any topic that can energize supporters may be repeatedly exploited. The crypto community enjoys spreading the “President supports Bitcoin” message because it reinforces their beliefs and investment logic. However, rational investors should distinguish political spectacle from actual policy.

The gap between symbolism and reality, and long-term implications

Although this claim is unrealistic, it reflects how deeply Bitcoin has entered mainstream political discourse. A decade ago, such statements were unimaginable. Today, even symbolic references often link Bitcoin to national debt and geopolitics. This shift is significant, marking Bitcoin’s normalization process. Over time, this normalization will influence regulation and public perception, ultimately affecting Bitcoin’s adoption.

Trump’s strategic Bitcoin reserves executive order, appointment of crypto-friendly SEC chairs, and policy support for the industry are more substantive than political rhetoric. These policies create a more favorable regulatory environment, attracting institutional capital. In contrast, the “pay off debt with Bitcoin” joke, while attention-grabbing, has limited actual market impact.

Investors should focus on policy implementation rather than political theatrics. Actual actions by Trump’s government include establishing Bitcoin strategic reserves, easing regulations on crypto firms, and promoting stablecoin legislation—these are the real factors shaping the market. The “pay off debt with Bitcoin” joke can at best serve as a short-term market sentiment catalyst, not a foundation for long-term investment logic.

In the long run, this political discourse shift remains important. It pushes Bitcoin from a fringe topic into mainstream discussion, prompting more people to consider whether “digital assets can play a role at the national level.” Even if the answer is currently negative, raising the question itself is progress. Looking back in ten years, Trump’s joke may be seen as a pivotal moment for Bitcoin’s entry into mainstream narratives.