Trump Derangement Syndrome: TDS In Crypto Explained

The term ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ in the crypto context refers to the extreme reactions to Trump’s involvement — ranging from unwavering support viewing him as a crypto pioneer to extreme opposition fearing regulatory capture and ethical breaches.

Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is a pejorative term used to describe intense, irrational reactions to former US President Donald Trump. It often implies that such responses lack logical reasoning and disregard his actual policies or actions.

Initially coined by political columnist and psychiatrist Charles Krauthammer as ‘Bush Derangement Syndrome’ during George W. Bush’s presidency, the term evolved into ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ to characterize extreme criticisms of Trump.

However, TDS is now extremely evident across the crypto community, but it’s highly polarized. While one group of crypto supports believe the US President is the ‘savior of digital assets’ and an ‘icon of free economy’, others see his pro-crypto stance as a gamble and a medium for political crime.

What is Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)?

TDS is primarily used by Trump’s supporters to dismiss and delegitimize criticisms, suggesting that opponents are incapable of objective assessment. Journalist Fareed Zakaria defined TDS as “hatred of President Trump so intense that it impairs people’s judgment.”

Similarly, CNN editor-at-large Chris Cillizza noted that TDS is “the preferred nomenclature of Trump defenders who view those who oppose him and his policies as nothing more than the blind hatred of those who preach tolerance and free speech.”

Here are some examples of TDS:

• Media criticism: In September 2024, Trump criticized comedian Bill Maher, referring to him as a “befuddled mess” suffering from TDS. This followed Maher’s segment where New York Times columnist Bret Stephens described Trump as “antisemitic adjacent” and a threat to democracy.
• Political commentary: At the New York Times’ DealBook Summit in December 2024, Fox News contributor Kellyanne Conway accused Never Trump activist Sarah Longwell of having “stage 5 Trump Derangement Syndrome” during a heated debate about the 2024 election results.
• Public figures’ remarks: In February 2025, Elon Musk compared TDS to rabies, reflecting on how his support for Trump led to intense backlash from progressives who previously admired him.

Criticism of the term

While TDS is widely used by Trump’s supporters, critics argue that the term serves to invalidate legitimate concerns about Trump’s behavior and policies. Some suggest that labeling all criticism as TDS oversimplifies complex political discourse and dismisses rational opposition.

Additionally, the term has been criticized for contributing to increased polarization by framing opponents as irrational.

Trump Derangement Syndrome Crypto

TDS is crypto refers to the polarization of reaction to Trump’s crypto and digital assets policies. However, there is an actual meme coin with the same name. It’s often stylized as ‘tearsforTDS’ or simply “TDS.”

This token operates on the Solana blockchain and has garnered attention due to its satirical nature and association with political discourse.

As of 12 March 2025, TDS has a roughly $120,000 market cap. The token’s name and concept play on the colloquial term “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” attracting both supporters and critics of Trump.

This polarization has contributed to its persistent presence in discussions within both political and crypto communities.

Additionally, the broader crypto market has been influenced by Trump’s recent pro-crypto policies, including the establishment of a US strategic Bitcoin reserve, which has kept crypto brands and leaders associated with his name in the spotlight.

How TDS is affecting crypto narratives

In the context of crypto policies and markets, ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ has been used to describe polarized reactions — both fervent support and intense opposition — to former President Donald Trump’s involvement in the crypto space.

This phenomenon reflects how political biases can influence perceptions and decisions within the digital asset space.

Trump’s shift in crypto stance

Initially, Trump was skeptical of cryptocurrencies, labeling Bitcoin a “scam” in 2019. However, during his 2024 presidential campaign, he rebranded himself as the “crypto candidate,” accepting digital assets for campaign donations and proposing the creation of a federal Bitcoin reserve.

In March 2025, President Trump announced the formation of a US Crypto Strategic Reserve, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and XRP. This move was intended to bolster the digital asset sector and assert US dominance in the crypto market.

Trump’s pro-crypto initiatives have led to significant market volatility. The announcement of the Crypto Strategic Reserve initially caused prices of included cryptocurrencies to surge, followed by gradual declines as market dynamics adjusted.

Additionally, over $800billion was wiped off the global cryptocurrency market, driven by the economic uncertainties due to Trump’s continuous tariffs on multiple countries.

Ethical concerns and criticisms

Trump’s direct involvement in crypto ventures, such as the launch of the TRUMP meme coin, has raised ethical questions. Critics argue that these actions present conflicts of interest, as policy decisions could directly benefit his financial interests.

Ethics experts have voiced concerns over the potential for such ventures to undermine the credibility of the crypto industry and pose risks to investors.

This polarization reflects how political affiliations can shape stakeholders’ views on digital asset policies and market developments.

In summary, Trump’s engagement with cryptocurrency has elicited a spectrum of responses, reflecting the deep-seated political biases that influence the industry’s evolution.