Guests Dine in Style as Protesters Decry Crypto Ties to the Presidency
New images from inside President Donald Trump’s private dinner for top TRUMP token holders have surfaced, revealing a glitzy, three-course affair complete with gift bags and luxury giveaways—all while protesters gathered outside, criticizing the president’s entanglement with cryptocurrency ventures.
The exclusive event took place at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, hosting 220 of the largest holders of the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin, a token linked to Trump’s burgeoning crypto presence through his firm World Liberty Financial.
Gift Bags and Gourmet Meals
Photos shared online by attendees showcased personalized “Fight Fight Fight” placards on each table—a nod to the entity behind the token launch. A lavish meal was served, including:
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“Trump organic field green salad”
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Filet mignon and pan-seared halibut, served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
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Molten lava cake for dessert
Attendees also received a black gift bag containing a Trump-branded cap, and in a surprise moment, one guest was awarded a $100,000 golden Trump watch on stage.
VIP Guests and Industry Ties
Among the notable attendees were Tron founder Justin Sun, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu, and BitMart CEO Sheldon Xia, who posted images and videos from the event. The White House has declined to release a full guest list, citing privacy concerns.
Honored to be at the Trump Crypto dinner with @GetTrumpMemes
Going to be a great night! pic.twitter.com/H4fBZbtxKf
— Jack (@0xLeoInRio) May 22, 2025
Sun’s appearance has drawn particular attention. The Chinese-born crypto mogul—previously charged by the SEC for securities violations, a case later dropped under the Trump administration—was reportedly the largest purchaser of TRUMP tokens leading up to the dinner.
As the top holder of $TRUMP and proud supporter of President Trump, it was an honor to attend the Trump Gala Dinner by @GetTrumpMemes.
Thank you @POTUS for your unwavering support of our industry!#MakeCryptoGreatAgain🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Yy2TuWEgzT
— H.E. Justin Sun 🍌 (@justinsuntron) May 23, 2025
He is also a major backer of World Liberty Financial, which is working to expand Trump’s crypto ventures, including the controversial USD1 stablecoin.
Protests Outside: “Crypto Corruption” Claims
While the dinner was held in high style, the atmosphere outside the venue was tense. Around 100 protestors gathered with signs that read:
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“Stop Trump’s Crypto Corruptio[n]”
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“Democracy Is Not For Sale”
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“Crypto Grift Dinner – Bribery on the Menu”
Some demonstrators called for Trump’s impeachment, accusing him of using the presidency to profit from cryptocurrency and alleging conflicts of interest related to token launches and exchange partnerships.
A Broader Crypto Play Amid Scrutiny
The dinner marks the latest milestone in Trump’s aggressive push into crypto. His affiliated entities have reportedly earned over $100 million in trading fees from the TRUMP memecoin, which launched just days before his Jan. 20 inauguration.
In March, Trump Media & Technology Group signed a non-binding agreement with Crypto.com to co-develop a series of “Made in America” crypto ETFs, signaling further ambitions to align Trump’s brand with digital finance.
However, the president’s growing involvement in crypto has sparked ethics concerns and legislative pushback. Several Democratic lawmakers have moved to delay or oppose crypto bills over what they allege are undisclosed financial ties and conflicts of interest stemming from Trump’s private ventures.
Final Word
As the president’s memecoin ecosystem expands, events like the TRUMP token dinner symbolize both the mainstreaming of political crypto and the mounting political backlash. Whether these ventures prove to be innovative or ethically fraught remains a matter of national debate.
