Former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed major investors in the $TRUMP meme coin to a black-tie dinner near Washington, D.C. Around 220 top buyers of the coin, tracked on a public leaderboard, received invitations to the exclusive event on Thursday.
The dinner took place at a Trump-owned golf course, drawing criticism from Democrats and protesters who gathered outside with signs. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy condemned the gathering, calling it “fundamentally corrupt” and a means of buying access to Trump.
Senator Elizabeth Warren labeled the gathering “an orgy of corruption,” accusing Trump of profiting personally from his presidency. The meme coin, launched before Trump’s second inauguration, briefly soared to $75 before dropping to around $12.50 this week.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly denied any link between the $TRUMP coin and official government policy or the administration. In a speech at the dinner, Trump pledged support for cryptocurrency innovators and promised to reverse Biden-era crypto regulations.
Billionaire Justin Sun, the coin’s top investor, attended the dinner despite facing SEC fraud charges during the Biden administration.
Critics warn that foreign nationals attending closed-door events with Trump could influence U.S. policy without public accountability. Senator Murphy questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about oversight, citing reports of foreign figures present at the private dinner.
Trump’s financial disclosures show deepening ties with the crypto sector, including ownership stakes in a new crypto exchange. Analysts estimate Trump’s net worth has risen nearly $3 billion thanks to his investments in digital assets like $TRUMP.
Critics argue these crypto-linked gatherings blur lines between policy and profit, fueling ethical concerns about presidential influence. Despite the controversy, Trump promised continued crypto support, aiming to become the nation’s first self-proclaimed “Crypto President.”
