President Donald Trump is once again at the center of political controversy, this time over his involvement with his self-branded memecoin, TRUMP. In a move criticized by opponents as unethical and potentially illegal, Trump has announced a private dinner for the top 220 holders of his cryptocurrency.
The top 25 investors will even receive an exclusive meet-and-greet with the president himself.
This announcement has reignited debate over the blurred lines between personal enrichment, political influence, and cryptocurrency speculation.
A Presidential Memecoin?
Trump’s TRUMP token was launched just days before his inauguration in January 2025. At launch, 200 million tokens out of a maximum supply of 1 billion were sold to the public. Initial speculation pushed the price as high as $75, before it collapsed to around $10 in the weeks following.
The remaining 800 million tokens are held in a wallet controlled by the Trump team, with scheduled unlocks allowing periodic token releases. These tokens can then be sold on the open market, creating potential conflicts of interest if tied to political influence.
Despite the volatility, Trump has actively promoted the coin, calling it “the best memecoin of them all” on his social network. While intended as a branding tool, many see it as a vehicle for personal gain, given Trump’s direct association with the token and his ongoing political role.
Surge in Trading Volume
The announcement of the exclusive dinner caused a surge of renewed interest in the TRUMP token. According to blockchain analytics firm Kaiko, more than $2.4 billion in on-chain volume was recorded following the announcement. The price of the token doubled in less than a week, highlighting the intense speculative nature of political-themed cryptocurrencies.
The opportunity to meet Trump himself appears to have attracted investors motivated by more than just profit, raising concerns about access, favoritism, and influence.
Political Backlash and Ethical Questions
Democratic lawmakers were quick to condemn the move. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff have sent a formal request to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether Trump’s actions violate federal ethics laws.
“When the President of the United States is effectively selling access to himself, it raises serious constitutional and legal concerns,” said one Democratic aide. “This is about more than cryptocurrency. It’s about whether the office of the president is being used for personal financial gain.”
Critics also fear the national security implications of such a move. If foreign entities acquire large amounts of the TRUMP token, they could theoretically gain privileged access to the president—an alarming prospect in terms of foreign influence and corruption.
A New Era of Political Fundraising?
Trump’s direct monetization of personal access through a speculative digital asset marks a new and controversial development. While Trump supporters hail the move as innovative and disruptive, others see it as an erosion of traditional political ethics.
Whether or not this leads to formal sanctions or legal consequences remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Trump’s embrace of cryptocurrency is reshaping the intersection between politics, finance, and blockchain technology—in ways that could set dangerous precedents if left unchallenged.
