In brief
The Trimbos Institute in Utrecht has warned about ecstasy tablets embossed with the image of US President Donald Trump. The pills, which appeared in August at drug‑testing centres, contain a dangerously high concentration of PMMA, a compound similar to MDMA. The institute stresses that the drug can cause overheating and fatal outcomes, advising users to avoid it entirely. While no deaths have yet been reported, the warning follows a 2024 Dutch government review that noted a surge in ecstasy use. Past incidents, such as a 2017 seizure of Trump‑shaped tablets in Germany, underline the ongoing risk.
The Trimbos Institute in Utrecht has issued a red alert after finding ecstasy tablets whose faces resemble the head of former US President Donald Trump. Several of these pills were brought in at drug‑testing centres in August and were found to contain a very high concentration of PMMA, a chemical close to MDMA.
The institute warns that the drug can cause overheating and potentially fatal effects, urging users to never take them. They note that symptoms such as nausea, an increased heart rate and convulsions can appear hours after ingestion.
Images were released of the pills, which feature a green front with Trump’s face and a red back stamped with the letters NL and Trump. The same pill is also available in a yellow‑blue version.
PMMA is known to produce a delayed stimulation, increasing the risk of overdose. The institute cautions that no fatalities have been reported yet, but the warning comes amid a 2024 Dutch government report stating that ecstasy remains popular, with a record 550,000 people having used it in 2022.
This is not the first instance of Trump‑themed pills. In 2017 German police seized about 5,000 carrot‑coloured tablets shaped like Trump’s head, circulated online under the slogan “Trump makes partying great again.”
Key Takeaway: Despite the lack of current fatalities, the Trimbos Institute’s red alert stresses the dangers of these specially crafted tablets. Avoid> any contact with them.
