Lamar Odom struts into President Trump's exclusive meme-coin gala

Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen Curry, and Scottie Pippen, among many else, have all dabbled in crypto. Few athletes can claim the President himself showed interest in their coin.

Lamar Odom's meme coin, $ODOM, has become a hot topic in the crypto world. The coin, which is designed to build the world's first "blockchain-driven philanthropy" model, has been making headlines for its rapid ascent in the meme coin sphere.

Recently, Odom's coin reached a significant milestone: an invitation to President Trump's exclusive meme-coin gala. This marks a first for an athlete-backed coin, highlighting the coin's early success.

Those who followed Odom's journey closely know that his goal was to get $ODOM recognized at the gala. The aim of this coin, as per Odom, is to build the world’s first “blockchain-driven philanthropy” model. Today, he updated about his visit to the Trump Gala on X.

“I’m just about to pass through security and officially walk into the Trump Gala. Honestly… I’m fired up. Think about it—what meme coin has ever done this? $ODOM isn’t just a token, it’s taking the stage at a presidential gala tonight!”

Those who tuned in to the live coverage spotted the two-time NBA champ marching in with sharp attire and a smile. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he marched in to a chorus of boos—protesters denouncing the Trump-crypto nexus. In fact, the boos were not only for him but also to approximate 200 other crypto enthusiasts who attended the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. There were protestors outside who were not fully convinced about this initiative from President Trump. But Lamar Odom nonchalantly walked in, and that’s why he confidently wrote about the future of his coin.

“Have you ever seen a founder be so bold? This is the most authentic soulful experience in crypto history. Tonight, $ODOM ignites the world.”

If you have questions about why a meme coin is in today’s market, the 45-year-old made it clear about his intentions. “I’ve looked death in the face and battled addiction to earn a second chance at life. Today, I hope to use the power of Web3 to help others find theirs.” But it seems not many believed in his project at first, that’s why he had to prove to the doubters that, in fact, he had received the invitation for the Gala.

What’s your perspective on: Lamar Odom at Trump's gala—brave move or risky political gamble for his meme coin?

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Lamar Odom clears the air as his project takes off

Before dipping his feet into the controversial meme coin venture, the ex-Lakers star already had enough controversies. His previous marriage to socialite Khloe Kardashian and the rumors about him cheating and substance-abuse issues caused problems in their marriage. Learning from his addiction is battle is apparently the reason why the 2x NBA champion is confident about his next venture.

According to the $ODOM whitepaper, 5% of transaction fees will fund d–g-rehab facilities, mental-health education, and other philanthropy. Those tokens remain locked until the fund hits a $10 billion threshold, ensuring long-term dedication to sobriety and self-discipline. To silence doubters, Odom shared a call with Trump Gala marketer Ben Johnson, who confirmed his invite after spotting Odom’s Instagram.

"I gotta say, our director of marketing said, you know, oh, you know, someone put a fake name down on their form. They said they’re Lamar Odom. I’m glad I checked your Instagram," Johnson said. The Instagram post is where the 2x NBA icon shared a post about the event. The 45-year-old even confirmed on the call that he was indeed attending the event. "Nah, it’s Lamar Odom, sir."

And today, he attended the exclusive gala, and the post on X garnered more than 1 million views.

One criticism Odom has received is that by attending a Trump‐hosted crypto gala—an event marked by partisan controversy—Odom risks politicizing what he frames as a purely philanthropic venture. This might potentially alienate the very communities he aims to serve.

Skeptics argue that meme coins, by nature, often prioritize hype over substantive impact. Also, by locking up funds in a “Public Welfare Fund” may delay or dilute actual charitable disbursements.

With its long-term locked philanthropy fund, deflationary mechanics, and high-profile endorsements, Lamar Odom aims to demonstrate that a meme coin can transcend speculation and deliver measurable social good.

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If you're interested in learning more about Lamar Odom's $ODOM coin, you can visit the official website or join the community on Telegram.

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