Dutch Institute Sounds Alarm Over Trump-Shaped Ecstasy Pills

The Trimbos Institute of Mental Health and Addiction in the Netherlands has issued a critical warning regarding a new batch of ecstasy pills that bear an ominous resemblance to the portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump. The pills, which have been discovered in recent weeks, are said to contain a high concentration of the chemical PMMA, also known as para-methoxymethamfetamine, which is similar to the MDMA found in typical ecstasy.

The institute has raised the alarm in a "Red Alert," urging users to steer clear of the potentially lethal pills. These pills, which feature a depiction of Trump's head on one side, are stamped with "NL" and "Trump" on the other, and come in both green and yellow hues. The institute's spokesperson, Anniek Groothuis, has confirmed that these are not the first instances of such pills to appear, but the recent batch has prompted a heightened concern.

The Trimbos Institute explains that PMMA is slower to take effect than MDMA, which can lead users to consume more pills, mistakenly believing the first one was ineffective. This practice greatly increases the risk of overdosing. Moreover, the use of PMMA can result in overheating, which may prove to be fatal.

While the institute has not reported any serious illnesses or fatalities related to the use of these pills, the presence of PMMA in the blood of users remains a concern. The spokesperson noted that there are no known cases where PMMA was found in the blood of potential victims.

Ecstasy use is illegal in the Netherlands, but it remains popular, particularly among club and festival-goers. A government report from 2024 indicated that approximately 550,000 people used the drug within a year. The fact that these Trump-shaped pills have appeared once again is not a coincidence, as similar tablets were seized by German police in 2017.

The Dutch authorities are taking the situation seriously, with officials emphasizing the dangers associated with these pills. The Trimbos Institute is urging drug users to be vigilant and to avoid consuming any pills that bear a suspicious design or that come from an unknown source.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how widespread the use of these Trump-shaped pills is and whether any further measures will be taken to prevent further distribution. For now, the message from the Trimbos Institute is clear: "Absolutely do not use these pills."