Trump's $TRUMP Coin Dinner: A Controversial Night of Wealth and Protests

Donald Trump hosted a high-profile dinner for investors in his $TRUMP meme coin on Thursday, drawing significant attention and criticism. Approximately 220 investors gathered at Trump's private country club in Northern Virginia, spending an estimated $148 million to gain access to the event. Outside the venue, over a hundred protesters voiced their concerns with signs reading "America is not for sale" and "stop crypto corruption." Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the gathering, labeling it an "orgy of corruption" and suggesting that the president was prioritizing personal profit over his duties. Critics argue that Trump's family has likely reaped hundreds of millions from the meme coin, with blockchain analytics revealing they control 80% of the remaining $TRUMP coins, earning approximately $320 million, including $1.35 million in profits following the dinner announcement. While the White House maintained that Trump attended the event in his personal time, the presence of the presidential seal at the lectern raised eyebrows. During his remarks, Trump did not introduce new crypto policies but expressed support for a potential bitcoin reserve. Among the notable attendees was Justin Sun, a billionaire crypto entrepreneur, who emerged as the largest known investor in the $TRUMP coin with an $18.5 million stake. Sun shared videos of his interactions with Trump during the event, further fueling concerns over foreign investment in the president's financial ventures. The dinner concluded with an after-party organized by MemeCore, a company focused on meme coin engagement. The event has sparked debate over the ethics of Trump's involvement in the cryptocurrency space, with some pro-Trump voices expressing discomfort over the potential impact on the credibility of the crypto community.