In an unexpected twist, President Joe Biden found himself inadvertently supporting Bitcoin in a recent social media post promoting his reelection campaign merchandise. On August 3, Biden tweeted a video of himself enjoying a cup of coffee from a mug adorned with his face featuring glowing red “laser eyes,” a popular symbol within the Bitcoin community.
The “laser eyes” meme originally emerged as part of a social media movement aiming to push Bitcoin’s price to $100,000 by the end of 2021, although the goal was not achieved. Prominent figures like NFL star Tom Brady, Paris Hilton, and Elon Musk have previously embraced the “laser eyes” symbol in their profile pictures to express their optimism towards Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.
Crypto enthusiasts were quick to spot the design of Biden’s coffee mug and flooded his post with delighted and entertained responses, playfully dubbing him a “Bitcoin maxi” and suggesting that he had unintentionally provided the “most significant endorsement in Bitcoin history.” Nonetheless, it is crucial to note that Biden’s administration has not been particularly crypto-friendly, as controversial tax proposals and other “anti-crypto” political efforts have drawn criticism from the crypto community.
The coffee mug, humorously named “Dark Brandon,” alludes to Biden’s meme-based online alter-ego, portraying him as a darker and edgier version, often utilized by his supporters to highlight his policy victories. While the accidental endorsement delighted the crypto community, it is unlikely that Biden’s promotion was a deliberate nod to Bitcoin, considering his administration’s previous positions on the cryptocurrency.
