In brief
The Trimbos Institute in Utrecht has flagged a dangerous batch of ecstasy pills carved in the likeness of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Lab tests revealed a high concentration of PMMA, a toxic analogue of MDMA, prompting the institute’s “red‑alert” warning against use. Witnesses report the pills feature Trump’s face on one side and “NL – Trump” on the reverse. While no fatalities have yet been reported, the institute cautions that symptoms can manifest hours later, potentially leading to overheating or convulsions. This marks a second instance of Trump‑themed drug‑ware: since 2017 Germany seized 5,000 similar tablets. The Dutch report already notes that in 2022 a record 550,000 people took ecstasy at least once, highlighting the persistent risk of party drugs across Europe.
A Dutch drug‑addiction watchdog has slammed a new variation of ecstasy pills that carry a striking resemblance to former U.S. President Donald Trump. It sent a red‑alert to the public after laboratory tests showed a very high dose of PMMA – a potent and dangerous cousin of MDMA – in several pills seized at testing sites in August.
The Trimbos Institute’s advisory reads, "Do not use this pill under any circumstance," warning that the drug can trigger extreme temperature rises and other potentially fatal consequences. Users are told they may experience delayed onset symptoms such as nausea, a racing pulse, and convulsions hours after ingestion.
The offending pills feature a green front that carries a carved portrait of Trump’s face, while the backside – in red – bears the word NL above a stylised imprint of Trump. Images of the drug were released, showing two different colour variants: one yellow‑blue and another red‑green.
Trimbos spokesman Anniek Groothuis told AP that no deaths or serious illnesses had been recorded among potential users. The paper also noted that the Netherlands, despite banning the production, sale, and use of ecstasy, remains a popular scene for party drugs, with a 2024 government report citing a record 550,000 people who tried the drug in 2022.
This is not the first time Trump’s imagery has migrated to drug shapes. In 2017 German police confiscated around 5,000 carrot‑coloured tablets that were carved into the U.S. president’s head, marketed under the slogan "Trump makes partying great again". The Dutch alert underscores the ongoing global trend of political imagery being weaponised for drug marketing, a trend that could easily cross borders and capitals.
