WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a move stirring sharp political controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump has attended an exclusive, closed-door gala with investors of his personal cryptocurrency venture — the $TRUMP memecoin — prompting protests and widespread condemnation from political opponents and watchdog groups.
The high-profile dinner was held last night at Trump’s private golf club just outside Washington, D.C., and was strictly limited to the top 220 investors in the president’s digital currency. According to promotional material from the event, the top 25 investors received access to a private meet-and-greet with Trump, followed by a personal tour of the White House — a move critics say blurs ethical boundaries.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the venue, denouncing what they described as “crypto corruption” and accusing the president of abusing his office for personal financial gain. The event was also met with outrage from Democratic lawmakers and transparency advocates, many of whom called for a formal investigation.
“This is not just unethical — it’s outrageous,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “A sitting president hosting a private dinner for buyers of his personal cryptocurrency and offering White House access? This is the kind of behavior we condemn in authoritarian regimes.”
The White House did not respond to direct questions about whether government resources were used to support the private investor event, but in a brief statement, a spokesperson said President Trump was “meeting with job creators and innovators shaping the digital economy.”
The $TRUMP memecoin, launched earlier this year, has seen dramatic swings in value — boosted in part by Trump’s direct promotion. Financial analysts have expressed concern over the cryptocurrency’s volatile nature, while ethics experts warn that the overlap between Trump’s presidential role and his business dealings could create unprecedented conflicts of interest.
Meanwhile, the gala capped off a turbulent day in Washington. The Trump administration earlier moved to revoke Harvard University’s right to enroll foreign students, prompting immediate backlash from the academic community. In addition, Trump’s divisive “Big, Beautiful Bill” advanced to the Senate and a judge issued an injunction blocking his proposed dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.
As Trump presses ahead with both his political and financial ambitions, the blurred line between his public office and private ventures continues to spark fierce debate.
