In recent years, political leaders have promised to “Make America Great Again” through isolationist policies — cutting foreign dependencies, bringing manufacturing home, and restoring American self-reliance. Yet here we are, watching the same leaders rally behind cryptocurrency, a global financial system with no allegiance to any nation, operating outside traditional banking controls. How do we square this push for a “Bitcoin America” with the promise of economic nationalism?

The answer lies in a motive as old as time itself: money — or, as the Apostle Paul described it, “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). This isn’t a vision for America; it’s a green light for a select few to consolidate unprecedented wealth and power, regardless of the consequences.

Trump’s Flip on Bitcoin: From Skeptic to Crypto King

Just a few years ago, former President Donald Trump was outspoken in his criticism of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. In 2019, Trump tweeted, “I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air.” He labeled crypto a risk to American stability and a threat to the dollar. Yet, fast-forward to today, and Trump is declaring plans to make America the “Bitcoin capital of the world,” pledging to overhaul regulations and even replace SEC leadership to create a more “crypto-friendly” environment.

What changed? Influence from powerful figures like Elon Musk, whose investments and ambitions align perfectly with such deregulation. Musk, who has shown unwavering support for cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin, has openly touted the advantages of a less regulated digital economy. And with his close ties to the Trump family, including an “Uncle Elon” status for Trump’s grandchildren, Musk has positioned himself as both a trusted confidant and a quiet puppet master, whispering in the president’s ear to shape policies that benefit the ultra-rich.

An Evil Genius with the President’s Ear

Elon Musk’s influence on Trump mirrors a scenario straight out of a Bond movie — a tech billionaire, unbound by ethical concerns, working behind the scenes to shape a world where he and his allies can maximize wealth and power. Musk, the self-styled “visionary,” is, in reality, the epitome of the “evil genius.” His business practices — prioritizing profit, disregarding labor concerns, and amassing influence through family ties and political connections — paint a chilling picture of ambition at any cost.

With Musk encouraging Trump’s pro-crypto stance, the doors have been flung wide open for billionaires around the world to move untraceable wealth through cryptocurrency, without accountability. This isn’t about American prosperity; it’s about cashing in while there’s still a window of opportunity. And the timing is no accident. As Trump positioned himself as a “man of the people,” billionaires, who profit from financial chaos, are angling to exploit this chaotic new economy for themselves.

Prophecy in the Modern Age: A Warning of Unchecked Greed

The shift to a digital currency system, potentially controlled by a handful of elites, eerily parallels biblical prophecy. Revelation 13 warns of a time when “no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark” — a system where control over economic participation rests in the hands of the few. By promoting a world where wealth flows through digital, easily controlled channels, we inch closer to this chilling vision.

Cryptocurrency, once seen as a tool for privacy and freedom, now has the potential to be wielded as a weapon of exclusion. Those who don’t play by the rules, or lack the means to participate, risk being shut out of the economy entirely.

The fallout from this new crypto economy won’t just be limited to the rich. History teaches us that when wealth consolidates at the top, poverty for the masses follows. As resources are funneled into the hands of a few, the economic structure becomes increasingly unstable, leaving ordinary people to bear the brunt. Hyperinflation, resource scarcity, and political instability are the inevitable consequences when unchecked greed takes center stage.

In truth, we’re watching the setup for a global economic crisis, not the dawn of a golden age. The wealthy will profit immensely while the rest of the world suffers the fallout. The scripture in Proverbs 22:16 couldn’t be clearer: “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

The vision before us is one of staggering inequity, where those who pull the strings continue to thrive, and those on the sidelines are left crushed by poverty. And with this alliance of influence and greed, it’s not hard to see why Trump’s flip on crypto is less about American greatness and more about selling a story that lets billionaires write the script.

As we watch this plan unfold, it’s crucial to hold people accountable — not just by their actions but by their own words. Trump’s reversal on crypto, Musk’s public ambitions, and their quiet ties to an economic system built for the ultra-wealthy show us that the rhetoric of isolationism is simply a front. This is not about America’s independence; it’s about their financial gain.

So let’s heed the warnings of prophecy and the lessons of history: when power and greed go unchecked, society as a whole pays the price. And while the leaders of this scheme sell it as a “golden age,” it’s anything but. It’s a villainous plot of epic proportions, where the rich grow richer, the poor are left behind, and the soul of the nation is sold for a few more dollars in the pockets of the world’s elite.

This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Jay Morman's work on Medium.