Trump hosts gala dinner for top investors in his meme coin
- Donald Trump hosted a private dinner for investors in his $TRUMP meme coin, raising ethical concerns from critics.
- Approximately 220 top investors spent around $148 million to attend the event, which included many foreign participants.
- The White House defends the event, claiming it is motivated by public service despite claims of potential corruption.
In the United States, Donald Trump held a gala dinner on May 22, 2025, for the top investors in his cryptocurrency meme coin, $TRUMP. The event was hosted at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia and attracted significant attention due to the large sums of money involved in gaining access to the exclusive gathering. Approximately 220 cryptocurrency traders were invited after collectively spending around $148 million on purchases related to the meme coin. Critics, including some Republican lawmakers, have criticized the event as a potential pay-for-play arrangement that could benefit Trump and his family, raising ethical concerns regarding the mixing of personal profit with presidential duties. Many attendees reportedly included foreign investors, with some Democratic lawmakers pointing to concerns about foreign influence in U.S. politics. The White House has pushed back against allegations of impropriety, asserting that Trump has been motivated by public service rather than personal profit. Despite the event's glamorous setting, it has led to public protests outside the venue, with activists voicing their concerns over what they perceive as corruption in the cryptocurrency space under Trump's leadership. This event unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny into the cryptocurrency market, particularly as the U.S. Congress considers regulations through the GENIUS Act. There remains skepticism about the potential for the president to profit from his administration's influence on cryptocurrency policy. Trump, once a critic of cryptocurrencies, has shifted his stance and now markets himself as the 'Crypto President,' suggesting that his administration aims to not just regulate but support the growth of digital assets. As the gala concluded, the ongoing debates surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and ethical implications of political figures profiting from such ventures continue to be hot topics in the media and among experts. Attendees left the event with their views on the future of cryptocurrency intermingled with their political aspirations, as many are keen to position themselves favorably in the evolving digital economy.