On a Thursday evening just outside Washington, D.C., over 200 affluent cryptocurrency enthusiasts converged at President Donald Trump’s golf club for an exclusive gathering. Guests were treated to a lavish meal that included filet mignon and halibut, set against the backdrop of Trump himself addressing the room with tales of his anticipated victory in the 2024 elections. The event was not only a social occasion but primarily a celebration for the top holders of Trump’s personal $TRUMP meme coin, where each attendee had invested millions into this cryptocurrency endeavor.
The black-tie dinner highlighted the top 220 $TRUMP coin investors, with the wealthiest among them enjoying even more elite access, including a private reception with the president. Media reports suggest that the sales and ancillary fees connected to this meme coin have yielded hundreds of millions in revenue for its issuers. To attend, guests had to pass through a background check, with invitations stipulating arrival no earlier than 5:30 PM for the dinner set to commence at 7 PM.
The atmosphere was electric as many guests witnessed the arrival of Marine One, land on the golf course within the Sterling club’s premises. They then had the opportunity to be personally greeted by Trump. Attired in a distinctive blue suit complemented by his iconic red tie, Trump warmly addressed the attendees, expressing excitement about their gathering and the venue, reportedly stating, “Hello, what a nice place. Did you get to see the helicopter?”
However, the event was marred by controversy back in Washington, where it raised serious ethical concerns. Critics argued that the dinner posed a considerable risk of allowing foreign entities to purchase access to the president, causing a potential violation of constitutional prohibitions against foreign gifts without congressional approval. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut referred to the gala as an “unprecedented pay-to-play scheme,” while Senator Chris Murphy expressed his sentiments by calling it a “scam” and one of the most corrupt acts from a president in U.S. history. Even fellow Republican crypto supporter Senator Cynthia Lummis voiced her disquiet around the ethical implications of the event.
In a press briefing shortly before the dinner, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt countered allegations against Trump, labeling them as absurd insinuations suggesting the president was benefiting financially from the presidency. Despite the uproar, attendees included several prominent figures, such as Justin Sun, a notable figure in the crypto world who recently faced civil fraud allegations. Sun not only attended but was celebrated as the top investor in Trump’s meme coin, with reports indicating he had invested over $18 million.
Guests shared moments on social media, including pictures of Trump and a dedicated poster listing the top 220 $TRUMP holders, which featured Sun prominently. Attendee Christoph Heuermann remarked on the diverse crowd, noting a good mix of young professionals from various nations within the crypto sector, further indicating a strong social capital exchange among attendees. Heuermann noted that although Trump did not directly engage with guests, the experience of witnessing the president in person was unique.
Among the guests was former NBA player Lamar Odom, who arrived to a somewhat mixed reception, later posting about his attendance, holding a laminated card signifying his top investor status. Another attendee, Nick Pinto, disclosed that he had spent approximately half a million dollars on the meme token to gain an invitation to the event. As the questions loomed about the completeness of the guest list, especially given the anonymity inherent in crypto investments, the White House refrained from confirming whether it would disclose the attendees.
During his speech amid a meal dubbed the “Donald J Trump $TRUMP Gala Dinner,” Trump regaled attendees with his thoughts on his current prospects against Democratic figures like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Guests enjoyed a lavish meal highlighted by dishes like “Trump Organic Field Green Salad” and decadent desserts, putting a celebratory bow on an evening that sparked discussions about both enthusiasm for cryptocurrency and the controversies surrounding access to political figures through financial investment.
