Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse Rumored Donald Trump Meeting Sparks Community Outrage and XRP Rally

• Speculation over Garlinghouse’s alleged meeting with Trump ignites mixed reactions.
• XRP’s price jumps past $1, hitting its highest level since 2021.
• Investors are optimistic, but critics warn against Ripple’s influence on U.S. crypto policy.

Rumors of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse meeting with President-elect Donald Trump have ignited a firestorm of reactions.

While some view the alleged encounter as a bold move in bridging crypto and politics, others have condemned it as a misstep, sparking heated debates online.

Adding to the drama, XRP, Ripple’s native token, saw an unexpected rally, further fanning the flames of speculation and intrigue.

Garlinghouse Remains Tight-Lipped on Alleged Trump Meeting

When asked about rumors of him meeting with President-elect Trump, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

However, some interpreted his chuckle during the interview as tacit confirmation, further fueling speculation and sparking a wave of optimism among crypto investors.

For many, the possibility of such a meeting signals hope for a turning point for Ripple and XRP holders, particularly as the company continues its prolonged legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“What a difference ten days can make. For years, the crypto industry has been under attack in the U.S. It’s been a war. But now, the crypto industry has embraced Trump, and Trump has embraced the crypto industry,” Garlinghouse said in the interview .

He expressed confidence in the future, adding, “I believe his support is genuine. I’m really excited about what the future holds.”

Garlinghouse also noted that the incoming administration could usher in a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, a prospect that has fueled further optimism within the market.

Ripple’s Community Mixed Reaction

While XRP investors and its community were thrilled by the Garlinghouse’s alleged meeting with President Trump, reactions from the broader crypto community were more mixed.

Ryan Selkis, the former CEO of Messari, took to X to criticize Garlinghouse, accusing him of using his platform to promote XRP and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

“Brad Garlinghouse is shilling XRP and CBDC implementations. I am shilling American dynamism and smart appointments that will solidify Trump’s legacy. We are not the same,” Selkis posted. 

Ripple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

XRP Breaks $1, Hits Highest Level Since 2021

Despite the crypto community’s mixed reaction, XRP’s price surged past $1 following the development—a milestone the token hadn’t reached since November 2021.

At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.16 , making it the top-performing cryptocurrency among the top ten by market capitalization, with a 102% increase over the past week.

This surge also comes amid growing anticipation that an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) could be on the horizon, further fueled by rising institutional interest and the altcoin’s recent listing on Robinhood.

Yet, despite the enthusiasm, technical indicators signal caution.

The weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests that XRP’s recent rally has pushed it into overbought territory. Nevertheless, bullish sentiment remains strong, with investors hopeful that the upward momentum will continue.