In a shocking display of political rhetoric, Roger Stone, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has suggested that Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) should face execution after Kelly criticized Trump’s involvement in cryptocurrency. This incendiary comment comes amid growing concerns about the ethical implications of Trump’s financial ventures while in office.
On May 7, 2025, Kelly took to X (formerly Twitter) to promote the "End Crypto Corruption Act," a bill aimed at prohibiting the president, vice president, and members of Congress from endorsing or profiting from cryptocurrency assets while in office. Kelly’s post accused Trump of "cashing in on his presidency" through his cryptocurrency ventures, specifically referencing the $TRUMP memecoin. "It’s corruption in broad daylight," Kelly asserted, highlighting the potential conflicts of interest that arise when elected officials profit from their positions.
Earlier this month, the State Democracy Defenders Fund reported that Trump’s cryptocurrency offerings might account for nearly 40% of his wealth. Furthermore, Trump has been actively promoting investments in his $TRUMP memecoin and has even invited investors to a private dinner at his golf club in Virginia, with tickets priced at $1.5 million each. This dinner, set to take place later this month, has raised eyebrows among lawmakers, particularly as many investors are foreign nationals.
In response to Kelly’s comments, Stone accused the senator of "treason," claiming that he is a partner in a Chinese company that manufactures surveillance balloons. "Senator Mark Kelly is cashing in on his US Senate seat as a partner in a Chinese communist company that makes surveillance balloons," Stone wrote on X. He went on to say, "He should be charged with treason and if convicted executed, consistent with federal law." This extreme response has ignited a firestorm of criticism, particularly given the historical context of political violence in the United States.
Kelly’s wife, Gabrielle Giffords, a mass shooting survivor, responded to Stone’s remarks on May 9, 2025, underscoring the seriousness of political threats. "Trump and his allies should understand that the threat of political violence is real," Giffords stated. She emphasized that inciting violence is un-American and should not be tolerated. Giffords herself was critically injured in a 2011 assassination attempt, a fact that adds weight to her condemnation of Stone’s comments.
Stone, however, doubled down on his original statement in a follow-up post, insisting that he merely called for a trial for treason, which could lead to capital punishment if convicted. "But of course you left that part out. Typical left-wing distortion!" he exclaimed, further inflaming the situation.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures has drawn attention from both sides of the political aisle. Some Republicans, including Senators Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, have expressed concern over the appropriateness of a sitting president profiting from cryptocurrency. Lummis has called for a regulatory framework to address the issue, indicating a growing bipartisan unease about the implications of such financial activities.
Trump’s promotion of the $TRUMP memecoin has sparked significant interest, with many investors eager to become top holders of the coin to gain access to the upcoming dinner with the former president. Reports indicate that around 80% of the memecoin’s supply is controlled by the Trump Organization and its affiliates, raising questions about the fairness of the investment landscape surrounding the coin. Notably, many of the top investors have utilized foreign exchanges that are not accessible to U.S. residents, further complicating the ethical considerations of Trump’s financial dealings.
Since January 2025, the Trump family has reportedly earned over $320 million from the memecoin, prompting scrutiny over whether Trump is profiting from his position. When questioned about the ethics of profiting from the presidency, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker, "I’m not profiting from anything," adding, "If I own stock in something, and I do a good job, and the stock market goes up, I guess I’m profiting." This statement reflects Trump’s ongoing defense of his business dealings while in office.
The timing of these events is significant, as Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., have been on a global tour promoting various Trump-associated business ventures. These ventures include a $1 billion luxury hotel in Dubai, a golf course and villa complex in Qatar, and a hotel in Serbia, all of which could directly benefit the former president. Additionally, Donald Trump Jr. recently announced the launch of an exclusive club in Washington, D.C., called the Executive Branch, with a membership fee of $500,000. This move has raised eyebrows and further fueled discussions about the ethical implications of Trump’s business activities while serving as president.
Stone’s controversial remarks and the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s cryptocurrency dealings highlight the deepening divide in American politics, where accusations of treason and calls for violence are becoming alarmingly common. As the debate over the ethical ramifications of cryptocurrency in politics continues, the implications of these discussions could shape the future of regulatory frameworks governing financial activities among elected officials.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will respond to the growing concerns about cryptocurrency corruption and whether bipartisan efforts will emerge to address these pressing issues. The stakes are high, and the political landscape is changing rapidly, with implications that could resonate far beyond the realm of cryptocurrency.
