Crypto Elite Dine at Trump Property—Protesters Cry Foul

High-profile crypto leaders sparked controversy this week after hosting an exclusive dinner at a Trump-owned resort. Critics slammed the move as a tone-deaf display of wealth amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

Protesters gathered outside the venue, waving signs like ’Crypto Bros Meet Political Show’ and ’Pump-and-Dump Dinner Party.’ Meanwhile, insiders shrugged—after all, what’s a little bad PR when you’re hedging with institutional money?

The event highlights crypto’s awkward dance between anti-establishment roots and its relentless pursuit of mainstream legitimacy. And if history’s any guide, the market won’t care—as long as the checks clear.

Decor, Gifts and Gourmet Fare Marked Trump’s Crypto Dinner

The dinner welcomed the top 220 holders of the $TRUMP memecoin, a token launched earlier this year and controlled primarily by the Trump Organization and its affiliates.

Access to the event was based on a leaderboard. It tracked token holdings over a three-week period. As a result, the top 25 investors received additional privileges. These included a private cocktail reception with Trump earlier in the evening.

Bloomberg reported that the dinner hall featured signs that read “Fight Fight Fight.” These referenced the company behind the meme coin. Additionally, guests received gift bags with branded hats and plaques. Meanwhile, the menu included salad, filet mignon, pan-seared halibut, and warm lava cake.

The guest list featured several public figures. These included former NBA player Lamar Odom and crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun. Notably, SUN is currently resolving a regulatory case in the US. He posted a photo of himself on the way to the dinner on X.

Trump also promoted the evening on Truth Social, claiming, “The U.S.A. is DOMINATING in Crypto, Bitcoin, etc., and we are going to keep it that way!”

Warren Decries Trump Crypto Gathering as Corrupt and Ethically Fraught

The event has sparked sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called it “an orgy of corruption,” pointing to recent policy shifts under the Trump administration. These include the dismantling of the Justice Department’s crypto enforcement unit and changes at the SEC.

She and others have warned that such gatherings blur ethical lines and risk selling influence to wealthy individuals, including those outside the US.

The WHITE House released a vague schedule showing Trump would stay at the club until around 8:30 p.m. EDT. However, it confirmed the event was closed to the press.

Despite the mounting scrutiny, the dinner appears to have marked another attempt by Trump to fuse political capital with personal digital ventures.