Trump Hosts Lavish Dinner for $TRUMP Coin Investors Amid Crypto Controversy
Over 200 elite holders of the $TRUMP meme coin gathered for a black-tie dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump, in a high-profile crypto event that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and watchdogs.
According to crypto intelligence firm Inca Digital, investors spent an estimated $148 million (AU$230 million) on the $TRUMP token to gain entry, with the top 25 holders alone contributing over $111 million. These VIPs enjoyed exclusive access, including a private cocktail reception with Trump and a limited-edition Trump Tourbillon watch worth $100,000.
Chainalysis reports that two firms—one tied to the Trump family—control 80% of the remaining coin supply, earning more than $320 million in fees, including $1.35 million since the dinner was announced.
More than half of the attendees are believed to reside outside the U.S., based on blockchain data. Among them were crypto executives such as Vincent Liu of Taiwan’s Kronos Research and Sheldon Zia of BitMart, who posted about their participation in exclusive pre-dinner events.
Notably, a proposed White House tour for VIP holders was quietly removed from the $TRUMP website.
While the Trump Organization has not commented, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the president, stating his assets are managed under a blind trust by his children and citing his business success as a reason for his re-election.
Democrats, however, blasted the event. Senator Elizabeth Warren called it “an orgy of corruption,” while Senator Chris Murphy questioned the secrecy around guests, highlighting one attendee known only as “Ogle,” who appeared masked in videos.
Ogle, who holds $3.6 million in $TRUMP tokens and advises Trump’s crypto venture World Liberty Financial, said he attended out of curiosity and a belief in the significance of the moment.
Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis, a known crypto advocate, expressed concern about the event, saying it “gives her pause.”
Since the coin’s January launch, more than 60 major wallets have earned close to $1.5 billion, while around 600,000 smaller investors have lost $3.87 billion—$117 million of that after the dinner was announced.
The night ended with an after-party titled “Meme The Night,” hosted by Singapore-based firm MemeCore. Its co-founder, “Ice,” spent over $16 million to claim second place among the top investors.
As Democrats push for new laws to curb crypto-related political conflicts, they face resistance in a Republican-controlled Congress—limiting the chance of formal investigations or reform.
