Controversial Streamer Adin Ross Gifts Trump Cybertruck and Rolex, Sparking Legal Questions
In a recent livestream event that has sparked considerable debate, controversial streamer Adin Ross presented former President Donald Trump with a Tesla Cybertruck and a Rolex watch. This unexpected gesture has raised significant concerns about potential violations of federal campaign finance laws.
The livestream, broadcast on the platform Kick from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, saw Ross asking Trump questions about current events and various political figures. Despite the questions, Trump often diverted into extended monologues, avoiding direct answers.
The stream reached a peak viewership of over 580,000, making it one of Kick’s most-watched streams of the year.
During the livestream, Ross unveiled the Tesla Cybertruck, wrapped with an image of Trump taken shortly after an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last month.
“Wow! That’s an Elon!” exclaimed Trump, visibly impressed by the vehicle. He later described the Cybertruck as “incredible” and “beautiful.”
Ross then presented Trump with a gold Rolex watch. Trump, seemingly in jest, remarked, “Now I know it’s worth it,” referring to his appearance on the stream. He praised Rolex as a “great watch company.”
The significant value of these gifts has raised questions about their legality under federal campaign finance laws. Contributions to federal candidates from an individual are limited to $3,300, far below the combined worth of the Cybertruck and Rolex.
Legal experts like Brendan Fischer have suggested that Trump will likely reject the gifts to avoid legal issues.
“Giving gifts valued at tens of thousands of dollars to a candidate amounts to an illegal and excessive campaign contribution,” Fischer told Rolling Stone. “I suspect that once Trump talks to his lawyers, we’ll get an announcement that he is turning down the gifts or donating them to charity.”
Ross, known for his controversial statements and collaborations, has been banned multiple times from Twitch for using homophobic slurs and displaying racist and anti-Semitic messages. He has hosted figures such as white nationalist Nick Fuentes and accused sex trafficker Andrew Tate on his streams.
His migration to Kick, a platform with fewer content restrictions, has allowed him to continue his controversial activities and attract a predominantly young male audience.
Trump’s appearance on Ross’s stream is part of a broader strategy to reach younger voters through popular online influencers. This approach is mirrored by his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, who recently appeared on a podcast with the YouTube group Nelk Boys. Trump mentioned that his sons introduced the idea of collaborating with Ross, noting how “big” an influencer Ross is.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign responded to Trump’s interview with Ross by posting clips in real-time of Trump discussing Venezuela and insulting a journalist at a recent conference. Harris’s campaign has also been leveraging digital media, featuring mainstream figures like rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
The event featured several peculiar moments. At one point, Ross brought up Fani Willis, a district attorney who has indicted Trump for alleged election interference, and asked Trump to ensure fair treatment for rapper Young Thug, who is facing charges in a separate case. Trump responded, “He’s gotta be treated fair,” without directly addressing the question.
The stream concluded with Ross and Trump inside the Cybertruck, dancing to “YMCA” and Trump promising to “keep TikTok going,” despite his previous efforts to ban the platform during his presidency.
Supporters praised the innovative engagement with younger audiences, while critics highlighted Ross’s controversial past and the potential legal implications of the gifts. As the election season progresses, the scrutiny over such high-profile collaborations and their legal ramifications is likely to intensify.