Pro XRP lawyer John Deaton has publicly criticized MSNBC journalist Stephanie Ruhle for conflating Bitcoin with the failed Hawk Tuah token, a meme coin linked to the viral “Hawk Tuah Girl” Hailey Welch.
In a post on X, Deaton expressed his shock over Ruhle’s decision to mix up Bitcoin, a well-established cryptocurrency, with a coin that experienced a dramatic collapse.
The Hawk Tuah token, launched by Welch, took a nosedive merely hours after showing the market some promising signs. As reported by Cryptopolitan, after its launch on December 6, 2024, the token’s value surged to a market cap of $490 million before shedding more than 95% of its value within the same day.
Deaton is taken aback by ‘smart journalist’ comments on Bitcoin
Deaton, in his X post, was particularly critical of Ruhle, whom he considers a smart and experienced journalist in financial markets. He suggested that Ruhle’s confusion was intentional, aimed at pushing an anti-crypto agenda supported by politicians like Elizabeth Warren and SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
“Maybe Stephanie will have Elizabeth Warren on her show next and they can begin damaging Democrats for the midterms,” the attorney jested.
Furthermore, he argued that this misleading narrative could harm the reputation of Bitcoin and the crypto market, bouyed by a politically motivated anti-crypto stance that is damaging to Democrats’ electoral prospects.
Deaton’s post also took a dig at the Massachusetts Senator included an image stating “Elizabeth Warren is Building an Anti-crypto Army.”
I must admit I’m disappointed, surprised and a bit shocked at @SRuhle for conflating Bitcoin with the Hawk Tuah Girl’s scam rug pull coin.
I’m shocked because Stephanie Rule is a very smart journalist who’s very experienced with financial markets.
I’m disappointed because,… https://t.co/wMQ9SRhEmc pic.twitter.com/pvoojAeKxP
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) January 6, 2025
The pro-XRP lawyer’s post garnered a lot of mixed reactions, but many predominantly supported his critical views on Ruhle. One user suggested the journalist has been a “democratic mouthpiece” over the past four years, saying she has a bias in her reporting.
Another crypto enthusiast commented that experts like Ruhle often feel compelled to act knowledgeable despite not being truly well-versed, which can lead to misinformation.
American taxpayers deserve the truth: Crypto lawyer
In other news, Deaton has offered to lead a probe into “Operation Chokepoint 2.0.” As explained by analysts, Operation Chokepoint 2.0 allegedly targeted crypto firms by cutting their access to traditional banking, though its existence is unconfirmed.
The narrative took charge when Andreessen, Netscape co-founder, revealed on Joe Rogan’s podcast that 30 tech founders had been “debanked” in the last four years.
Forward this video to friends & family to understand just how evil the government has been
pic.twitter.com/XgRnikMK6J— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2024
Federal regulatory agencies have since denied allegations of debanking, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC, responsible for chartering and supervising national banks, insists that banks must assess customer risks individually.
“The OCC does not direct banks to open, close, or maintain individual accounts,” the agency made their case in a statement.
Deaton pledged to conduct the investigation for free, prioritizing truth over a taxpayer-funded paycheck, according to his X post.
He tagged several prominent members of the incoming Trump administration, including Donald Trump and JD Vance. The US war veteran also mentioned some “semi-political” figures, including Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Howard Lutnick, and crypto czar David Sacks.
“This fight goes beyond crypto; it’s about protecting institutional integrity and limiting unchecked bureaucratic power,” Deaton said.
Moreover, the crypto advocate cited Custodia Bank’s legal battles as emblematic of broader conflicts over free enterprise and the rule of law. He argued that the cases could define whether the US remains a haven for businesses or turn America into an overly bureaucratic jurisdiction.
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