Trump Declares US Crypto Dominance at Exclusive $TRUMP Memecoin Dinner Amid Protests

President hosts top 220 cryptocurrency investors at Virginia golf club as demonstrators condemn ‘crypto corruption’

President Donald Trump hosted an exclusive dinner Thursday evening for the top holders of his $TRUMP memecoin at his Northern Virginia golf course, declaring on social media that “The U.S.A. is DOMINATING in Crypto, Bitcoin, etc., and we are going to keep it that way!”

The high-profile gathering at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, brought together 220 of the largest investors in Trump’s cryptocurrency, who collectively spent $394 million on the digital tokens. The event took place approximately 25 miles from the White House as Bitcoin reached new record highs amid growing optimism about government support for the cryptocurrency industry.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 President Donald Trump said “The U.S.A. is DOMINATING in Crypto, Bitcoin, etc., and we are going to keep it that way!” pic.twitter.com/5XQ6jStjov

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 22, 2025

Elite Guest List and Foreign Presence

The top 25 memecoin holders were granted an “ultra-exclusive private VIP reception” with the president before the main dinner. Analysis by Bloomberg revealed that 19 of these top 25 investors purchased their tokens on international exchanges that exclude US-based customers, suggesting significant foreign participation.

Among the notable attendees was Chinese billionaire Justin Sun, founder of Tron and the largest holder of $TRUMP tokens with more than $20 million in coins. Sun, who faces fraud charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission dating to 2023, posted photos on social media showing his journey to the event. His case was paused shortly after Trump took office in January.

Retired NBA player Lamar Odom was also spotted among the guests arriving at the venue.

Presidential Enthusiasm and Menu Details

“What a nice bunch,” Trump told his VIP guests, asking if they had been able to see the presidential helicopter land on the golf course. The dinner featured a sophisticated menu including field-green salad, filet mignon, and pan-seared halibut with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable medley.

Inside the venue, large “Fight Fight Fight” placards adorned every table, referencing the company that launched the $TRUMP memecoin. Gift bags containing black hats and plaques with the same slogan were placed on chairs for attendees.

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Qualification Process and Investment Levels

To qualify for the dinner, memecoin holders had to register on an online leaderboard that tracked their average holdings over three weeks. The anonymous leaderboard featured usernames such as “MEOW,” “LSD,” “REKt,” and “elon” among the top 220 positions.

The seven highest-ranking investors each spent approximately $10 million on $TRUMP tokens, according to blockchain analytics firm Nansen. One attendee, Morten Christensen from Mexico who runs AirdropAlert.com, managed to secure a dinner seat for only about $1,200 total investment.

Protests and Political Criticism

Approximately 100 protesters gathered outside the golf club, creating a charged atmosphere as guests arrived. Demonstrators shouted “Shame!” and “I hope you choke on your dinner!” while holding signs reading “America is not for sale,” “Stop crypto corruption,” “Memecoin grifters go to jail,” and “Release the guest list.”

The event drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who characterized it as unprecedented presidential corruption. Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Trump of “using the presidency of the United States to make himself richer through crypto,” while Senator Richard Blumenthal described it as “putting a ‘For Sale’ sign on the White House lawn.”

Senator Adam Schiff of California and other Democrats raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the selling of presidential access, particularly to foreign nationals who cannot legally contribute to US political campaigns.

White House Response and Legal Framework

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the event, stating that Trump was attending “in his personal time” and emphasizing it was “not a White House dinner” and “not taking place here at the White House.” She declined to release the guest list when pressed by reporters.

The $TRUMP website noted that the president was “appearing at the dinner as a guest and not soliciting any funds for it,” though critics questioned whether the distinction provided adequate ethical protection.

Memecoin Performance and Trump Family Crypto Ventures

The $TRUMP memecoin experienced dramatic market volatility since its January launch. After reaching a market capitalization of nearly $15 billion shortly after introduction, the token’s value has since declined sharply to approximately $2.9 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.

Fight Fight Fight LLC and CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization, collectively control 80% of the total memecoin supply. The announcement of the dinner provided a modest boost to the token’s price.

The Trump family has significantly expanded its cryptocurrency business network. Last year, Trump and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric launched World Liberty Financial, which has raised more than $500 million. Two of his sons also became involved in a Bitcoin mining venture.

Broader Crypto Policy Context

The dinner occurred against the backdrop of Trump’s dramatic transformation from cryptocurrency skeptic to the industry’s most prominent government advocate. After launching four collections of non-fungible tokens during his previous term, Trump began his second presidency by appointing crypto-friendly agency heads and establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

The event highlighted the intersection of Trump’s personal financial interests and his administration’s policy agenda supporting cryptocurrency adoption and reducing federal regulations on digital assets.

The gathering represents a significant moment in the evolving relationship between cryptocurrency and American politics, as the industry seeks to solidify its influence within the highest levels of government while facing ongoing questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.