Why Spend $5 Billion on LIV When Trump Crypto Costs Less?

9 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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1:25

In this solo commentary, TJ Walker condemns the LIV Golf league as a Saudi "sportswashing" venture that spends billions to associate the kingdom with golf rather than its human‑rights abuses. He argues that while money can buy players, tournaments and airtime, it cannot secure a lasting, authentic audience, noting that the league’s complex middle‑man structure and its Chapter 11‑failed payment schedule illustrate its unsustainability. Walker then contrasts this with a 2025 scheme where investors spent roughly $148 million to become top holders of a Trump‑linked meme cryptocurrency, granting them invitations to dine with former President Donald Trump. Although the White House says Trump’s assets are in a trust, the crypto purchasers receive personal access, which Walker frames as a more efficient route for foreign actors seeking U.S. influence. He concludes with a tongue‑in‑cheek recommendation: foreign potentates should skip the $5 billion LIV league and simply buy the Trump crypto, saving billions while still gaining direct access.

Chapters

Critics call LIV sportswashing— spend billions so Saudi Arabia becomes associated with birdies instead of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder and the kingdom's human rights atrocities. But money can buy players, tournaments, and airtime. It can't guarantee a sustainable audience. Authenticity is apparently available for lease, but the payment schedule did not survive Chapter 11. And now the golf league middleman looks needlessly complicated. In 2025, investors spent an estimated $148 million competing for 220 invitations to dine with President Trump by becoming top holders of his meme coin. The top 25 received a VIP reception. Reuters said more than half the attendees were likely based abroad. That doesn't prove anyone bought a policy decision. No. The White House said Trump's assets were in a trust managed by his children. But buyers of a president-linked product receive personal access to the president. So my efficiency recommendation for any foreign potentate seeking access to the United States government these days is skip the $5 billion golf league. Just buy the Trump cryptocurrency, dress for dinner, and save $4 billion.