Dutch institute issues 'red alert' over Trump-shaped ecstasy pills

What the report says

A Dutch drug addiction and mental health institute has issued a red alert about ecstasy pills shaped like the head of US President Donald Trump, saying the tablets may contain a dangerous substance. The Trimbos Institute in Utrecht said several pills were handed in to testing centres in August and found to contain a very high level of PMMA, a chemical related to MDMA but with a delayed effect.

The institute warned people not to take the pills under any circumstances, saying the delayed onset can raise the risk of overdose and may lead to overheating with potentially fatal consequences. It also said users could develop symptoms including nausea, a faster heart rate and convulsions hours after taking them. Images released by the institute showed pills marked with Trump’s face and the words “Trump” and “NL”.

Trimbos spokesperson Anniek Groothuis told the Associated Press that there had been no reported deaths or serious illnesses linked to the pills. The warning comes against the backdrop of ongoing recreational use of ecstasy in the Netherlands, where a 2024 government report described the drug as still popular. In a broader context, authorities in Europe have previously encountered novelty pills using Trump’s image, including a 2017 seizure in Germany.