Crypto Dinner at Trump Resort Draws Protesters Backlash

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

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Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

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Last updated: 

May 23, 2025

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Roughly 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia on Thursday evening as guests arrived for the Trump Crypto Dinner, a private event celebrating top investors in President Trump’s $TRUMP cryptocurrency.

The event, held behind closed doors and not listed on the public schedule, was marketed as one of the most exclusive crypto gatherings in the world, drawing backlash over its secretive nature and high-dollar access.

According to The Independent and Bloomberg, protesters held signs reading “America is not for sale” and “Stop Crypto Corruption” while chanting “Shame!” as attendees emerged from their cars near the club’s security checkpoint.

Some shouted, “I hope you choke on your dinner,” while others carried props, including a gold coin with Trump’s face and placards demanding the guest list be made public.

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.