Tron founder Justin Sun has found himself on the wrong end of the community’s backlash after pledging to donate one million US dollars to young Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg.
“As a young entrepreneur, I share Greta Thunberg’s passion to change the world. Crypto will contribute immensely on reducing carbon footprint by implementing decentralized settlement. I would like to personally commit USD $1 Mil to Greta Thunberg’s initiative,” Sun tweeted on December 18.
Judging by the comments that followed, Sun’s pledge backfired spectacularly. The negative response was largely based on Sun’s recent record with failing to fulfill big announcements.
Specifically, many commentators pointed out that the pledge wasn’t necessarily a firm commitment and that the money may never actually get handed out.
“I would like to personally commit USD$1 Mil as well! I would like to. But I won’t. I also won’t give you any Tesla’s,” one user sarcastically tweeted, referring to Justin Sun’s last giveaway—that didn’t exactly go to plan.
Earlier this year, he offered a prize draw for a Tesla. But when it was found that the results were rigged, he reneged on his offer to the first candidate—who then kicked up a fuss. Sun eventually pledged to give two Teslas out and yet not a single car was ever handed out. He later claimed that the candidates wanted money instead.
Sun has also been caught claiming partnerships with mainstream companies that don’t seem to exist. After announcing one with Liverpool FC, Decrypt later revealed that, if there was such a partnership, Liverpool FC had never heard about it.
In July, another controversy stemmed from a Twitter statement by BitTorrent creator—and current CEO of cryptocurrency startup Chia—Bram Cohen. He claimed that Sun hasn’t made a scheduled payment as part of Tron’s acquisition of BitTorrent last June.
We have reached out to Tron asking for verification that a donation has been made, or that one will be made, but have not heard back so far.