Inside Trump’s Crypto Dinner: Attendees, Aftermath, and Why Critics Are Sounding the Alarm

Last night, Donald Trump didn’t just host a dinner. He lit a fire under an already heated debate about crypto, politics, and power.

Held at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, the event brought together 220 top holders of the $TRUMP meme coin. From billionaires and influencers to athletes and shadowy wallet owners, the guest list felt like a blend of a tech summit and a celebrity roast. But for many Americans, this wasn’t a celebration. It was a warning.

Here’s what happened, who showed up, and why the aftermath is now louder than the event itself.

A Crypto Dinner in Secrecy

Marketed as an “exclusive experience” for the most loyal $TRUMP token holders, eligibility was based on a time-weighted average of holdings. Only the top 220 wallets received invitations. The top 25 got even more, including a private cocktail reception the following day.

Guests had to submit personal details: name, phone number, email, and Solana wallet. This wasn’t an open RSVP.

No press was allowed, and no official guest list was released.

Lawmakers Demand Transparency

Even before the filet mignon was served, political backlash was brewing. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff raised alarm bells. They warned of anonymous crypto wallets opening backdoor channels for foreign influence.

Rep. Maxine Waters took action. Hours before the event, she introduced the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act of 2025, a bill designed to bar sitting presidents, lawmakers, and their families from owning or launching crypto assets.

“This is political influence for sale,” declared advocacy group Public Citizen, one of the protest organisers outside the venue. The rally drew over 100 demonstrators carrying signs like “Stop Crypto Corruption” and “America is Not for Sale.”

The Big Names at the Table

Despite the secrecy, several attendees made their presence known, either through blockchain activity, social posts, or word of mouth.

Justin Sun

The Tron founder and crypto billionaire confirmed he was the top $TRUMP holder, boasting over $22 million in tokens. He posted photos from his U.S. tour, including stops at SpaceX and Worldcoin outlets. Sun has ties to Trump’s “World Liberty Financial” initiative.

MemeCore

The meme-native blockchain project came in second. Its co-founder, “Ice”, and biz chief Cherry Hsu both attended. Their campaign to beat Sun, dubbed Operation SUN of a B**ch, failed. But their spirit and jokes about McDonald’s still landed.

EV aka “HardSnipe”

A meme coin trader was accused of leveraging insider info to make $65,000. EV’s wallet received $3 million in $TRUMP from Binance just before the leaderboard closed. When asked for comment, he responded with a vulgar post that quickly drew backlash.

Ogle

The anonymous founder of Glue Network and a key advisor to Trump’s crypto moves. His $TRUMP wallet holds nearly $4 million. He promised to unmask himself during the event, taking advantage of the camera-free setting. Beforehand, he hosted a casual meetup for fellow attendees.

Lamar Odom

The former NBA star is launching a token, ODOM, focused on drug abuse awareness. He asked fans to send him $TRUMP to boost his rank in exchange for refunds and perks. NFL legend Terrell Owens publicly advised him against attending.

Kain Warwick

The Synthetix and Infinex founder said he came not for clout or cash, but for a conversation, ideally with Trump or Eric Trump, about crypto regulation.

Vincent Liu

Chief Investment Officer at Kronos Research, Liu attended on behalf of his firm, which holds a large stake in $TRUMP. He said they’re not selling and want to explore future market-making roles.

Morten Christensen

Used a clever tactic: he and four friends bought just enough $TRUMP to qualify, shorted the same amount, and locked in spots for just $1,200. He’s since sold everything.

Vincent Deriu

A senior analyst at Ernst & Young, Deriu made it clear he was attending in a personal capacity. He called the event “democratic” and proudly showed off his Trump watches.

ZielonoMi

The Polish crypto influencer confirmed attendance, joking online, “Who pays the bill?” He reportedly hedged his entire $TRUMP position.

Shadows and Suspicions

Dozens of attendees remain unidentified. Some used real names on the leaderboard inside. Others stayed pseudonymous.

Rumoured guests include:

• Jeff Zirlin (Axie Infinity)
• Sheldon (BitMart founder)
• StrongHands (NFT whale)
• Corey (Telegram group leader)
• PizzaDough701 (pseudonymous memecoin creator)

With no cameras, disclosure, or accountability, critics argue this secrecy is precisely what makes crypto such a double-edged sword in politics.

Protesters Push Back

As guests dined on steak and halibut, over 100 protesters lined up outside the club gates. The demonstration was organised by Americans for Tax Fairness, Our Revolution, and Public Citizen.

One group carried a giant golden coin with Trump’s face engraved. The chants were loud and clear:

\
“Shame!” “Stop Crypto Corruption!”

“Trump is using meme coins to sell political access,” said one protest leader. “It’s a joke—but a dangerous one.”

The Ethical Gray Zone

Even within the crypto community, concerns are growing. Nic Carter, a partner at Castle Island Ventures and a known Trump supporter, said:

“He’s hugging us to death. We’d rather he pass legislation than play with meme coins.”

For Carter and others, it’s not just optics. It’s about regulatory risk. The more deeply Trump embeds himself in memecoin culture, the harder it becomes for serious crypto reform to move forward.

A Growing Pattern

This isn’t Trump’s first crypto stunt. The $TRUMP coin launched just three days before Inauguration Day during a flashy “Crypto Ball.” He framed it as “fun” for his supporters. Since then, its value has exploded.

Critics argue Trump is not merely promoting crypto but profiting from it in real time.

Final Thoughts

This dinner wasn’t just a gathering of memecoin moguls. It was a vivid snapshot of how politics, money, and tech are converging.

The lines between campaign, commerce, and crypto are blurrier than ever, as the stakes are rising fast. For Trump, it was “a very good event.” But for much of the country, it felt more like a line was crossed.

Crypto’s influence is growing, and so is his public scrutiny. Whether this marks a new era in politics or a dangerous ethical misstep, one thing is clear: Everyone’s watching.