Trump Crypto Dinner Turns Chaotic as Protesters Slam Memecoin Millionaires

A high-profile dinner hosted at Donald Trump’s golf club near Washington drew intense protests and political backlash Thursday, as guests—many of them top holders of the Trump-branded memecoin—arrived amid growing scrutiny over the former president’s crypto involvement.

Roughly 100 demonstrators gathered near the entrance to the Trump National Golf Club, directing chants of “Shame!” and holding placards warning against foreign influence and crypto profiteering. Signs reading “America is not for sale” and “Memecoin grifters go to jail” were visible as attendees passed through a security checkpoint.

Among those attending were crypto figures, investors, and public personalities, including retired NBA player Lamar Odom. Inside the event, guests were greeted with decorations branded “Fight Fight Fight,” a nod to the company behind the Trump memecoin. Gift bags included matching hats and commemorative plaques. The menu featured filet mignon, pan-seared halibut, and garlic mashed potatoes.

The dinner, organized to reward the top 220 holders of the Trump memecoin—tracked via a public leaderboard—also included an exclusive reception for the top 25 holders. The presence of foreign-based investors raised concerns about international influence, as more than half of the top token holders reportedly used overseas crypto exchanges, many of which restrict access for U.S. users.

One attendee, Morten Christensen from Mexico, gained entry for around $1,200 and described the event as a significant moment for crypto supporters. “Trump made it clear that he wants the U.S. to lead in crypto innovation,” Christensen said.

Trump, who announced his attendance on Truth Social with the message, “The U.S.A. is DOMINATING in Crypto, Bitcoin, etc., and we are going to keep it that way!” reiterated his commitment to making America the global hub for cryptocurrency during his address. “We’ve got some of the smartest minds anywhere in the world right here in this room,” he said.

After Trump’s departure, entrepreneur Justin Sun addressed the crowd, calling for unity in supporting pro-crypto policies. Discussions during the event also included potential integrations of Trump coin into platforms like EV.com, according to attendees.

The dinner drew sharp rebukes from Democratic lawmakers, who raised concerns over possible conflicts of interest. Senator Richard Blumenthal condemned the event, stating, “He is effectively putting a ‘For Sale’ sign on the White House lawn.” Blumenthal also participated in a press call addressing what he described as “unprecedented presidential crypto corruption.”

In recent years, Trump has reversed his stance on digital currencies, evolving from a critic to a vocal advocate. His ventures have included multiple NFT collections and significant family investments in crypto-related companies. Trump-related entities were also behind the launch of the memecoin, which peaked near $15 billion in market capitalization shortly after its January debut but has since declined to around $2.9 billion.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, hovered near its record high, trading at $111,593 Friday morning in Singapore, as optimism surrounding U.S. government backing for the crypto industry continued to grow.

Also Read: Bitcoin Breaks Records at $111,800 — Major Crypto Stocks See Pre-Market Surge