Key Takeaways:
- Dinner access came at a price: Trump hosted a private gala dinner for top TRUMP coin holders, with attendance based on the size of their memecoin holdings.
- The main act was brief: Trump’s short, improvised speech and quick exit left several high-ranking guests feeling disappointed.
- Not everyone left satisfied: Some guests described the dinner as underwhelming, both in terms of the food and the overall experience.
- Backlash was immediate: Lawmakers and watchdogs denounced the event, calling it a case of “blatant corruption” and demanding transparency.
On May 22, President Donald Trump arrived at his Virginia golf club aboard the Marine One presidential helicopter to attend a private dinner with over 200 carefully selected guests, each among the largest investors in his personal memecoin, TRUMP.
The invitation-only gala dinner was presented as a reward for investors’ loyalty. But in reality, it mixed spectacle with strategy, unusual dinner service with digital assets, and left behind a mix of enthusiasm, protest, and awkwardness.
According to WIRED, which spoke to several attendees, the evening was anything but conventional. On arrival, guests were met with gift bags, printed rankings, and in some cases, gem-encrusted Trump watches. The room was decorated with American flags, illuminated by crystal chandeliers, and filled with crypto traders, influencers, and even the former NBA star, Lamar Odom, was among them.
At one end of the room, Trump stood flanked by flags and delivered one of his improvised speeches, which lasted about 25 minutes. “We’ve got some of the smartest minds anywhere in the world right here in this room,” he said. “This is really something that may be special—who knows, right?”
However, for some attendees, the mood began to fade as quickly as it had peaked. After wrapping up his speech, Trump pointed to the crowd and performed his famous dance to “Y.M.C.A.” beneath the chandeliers. Moments later, he left the ballroom in a golf cart, headed straight for his helicopter, without greeting many of the top investors. This gesture was met with disappointment among some guests.
“Trump could have at least given the top people their watches himself,” said 25-year-old TikTok prankster Nicholas Pinto. “He didn’t.”
Furthermore, the dinner itself, which included pan-seared halibut, filet mignon, and dessert, fell short of expectations for some. Pinto described it as the worst food he had ever had at a Trump golf course. Another attendee said the meal was “OK, but not top-class,” while some guests noted that the bread and butter was the only highlight.
One of the most recognizable faces in the room was Justin Sun, the China-born crypto entrepreneur and the largest holder of the TRUMP coin. During dessert, Sun stood to speak. He raised a toast to the guests and Trump. “I appreciate everything the Trump administration has done for our industry,” he said.
It’s worth noting that under the Biden administration, Sun faced charges from U.S. regulators for market manipulation and the sale of unregistered securities. However, since Trump’s return to office, the case has been paused, with both sides reportedly working toward a possible resolution.
It’s Not a Trump Event Without Some Controversy
The evening was meant to celebrate loyalty and innovation. However, not everyone saw it that way. For many market watchers and lawmakers, the event raised serious questions about where the line between politics and profit really lies.
The TRUMP coin, which was launched by Donald Trump in January 2025, is still largely controlled by companies connected to his family: CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC. That level of control has led to concerns that the coin isn’t just a meme token, but a way to buy access to the president.
Those concerns weren’t limited to investors and crypto insiders. They were echoed in Washington.
On Thursday, a group of lawmakers and political watchdogs, including Senators Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, and Richard Blumenthal, joined forces with advocacy groups like (CREW) and “End Citizens United” to call out what they described as “blatant corruption” behind Trump’s private crypto dinner, where “anonymous investors appeared to be buying direct access to the president”.
The group demanded full transparency: Who was invited? How much did they spend? What kind of influence were they expecting in return?
“We’re here today to call on the President and the people who serve him to do something really simple: release the names of the people who are going to be there,” said Murphy. “Even if you release the names, it’s still corrupt. But at least let us see who’s going to be there. At least let the American people know who has bought access to the President. Release the names. If there’s nothing wrong, if you think that this is all above board, then what are you hiding?”
Outside the gala’s gates, the anger was loud and visible. According to the report, protesters lined the road holding signs that read “Stop Crypto Corruption” and “Don the Con,” some with spray-painted Bitcoin logos in bright orange. They shouted “Shame on you!” at guests arriving for the dinner. For many of them, this wasn’t just about crypto. It was about power, privilege, and how money now seems to open doors to the president’s inner circle.
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