Trump to host exclusive Crypto Gala for Top Memecoin Investors

US President Donald Trump is set to host a private gala dinner on Thursday for the top investors in his personal cryptocurrency venture, the $TRUMP memecoin, at his Virginia golf club near Washington.

The event marks a historic merging of presidential power and personal business interests.

The exclusive gathering will welcome the 220 largest holders of the cryptocurrency launched by Trump in January. According to the event website, the top 25 investors will receive a private session with Trump before dinner, along with a tour of the White House.

Critics have voiced concern over the arrangement, warning it presents a troubling loophole in US political influence laws. While foreign nationals are legally barred from contributing to Trump’s political campaigns, analysts say they could now effectively buy access through cryptocurrency holdings.

Data from Inca Digital, a blockchain analytics firm, revealed that many transactions for the memecoin passed through international crypto exchanges not accessible to US residents — suggesting foreign involvement. Chinese-born crypto mogul Justin Sun, founder of TRON, has reportedly committed $20 million to the memecoin, positioning himself as its largest investor. Sun, who is facing US investigations for market manipulation, recently secured a temporary reprieve from regulators — now reportedly dominated by Trump allies.

“Honored to support @POTUS and grateful for the invitation to attend President Trump’s Gala Dinner as his TOP fan,” Sun wrote on X earlier this week.

The event has drawn sharp rebukes from Democrats. Senator Chris Murphy called it “fundamentally corrupt,” describing it as a backdoor opportunity for global oligarchs to seek favors from the president under the guise of cryptocurrency investment.

The White House, however, dismissed such criticisms. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled suggestions of self-interest as “frankly ridiculous,” claiming Trump left behind a prosperous private life for public service.

Meanwhile, the US Senate is moving to tighten oversight of digital assets with the advancement of the GENIUS Act — a regulatory framework for stablecoins. The legislation, long delayed partly due to Trump’s foray into crypto, gained traction this week as Bitcoin surged to a record $109,500.

Trump’s growing interest in digital currencies has extended to his sons’ ventures, including World Liberty Financial — a family-backed investment company with significant crypto holdings and partnerships in the Middle East. The firm’s leadership features Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Zach Witkoff, son of a Trump diplomatic adviser.

Adding to his digital currency push, Trump signed an executive order establishing a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” for government-held cryptocurrency.

The gala comes as the crypto sector eyes regulatory clarity amid recent scandals and legal setbacks — most notably the collapse of FTX and the sentencing of its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried.

The Trump campaign has increasingly benefited from the industry’s dissatisfaction with the Biden administration, positioning itself as a more crypto-friendly White House in the event of a Trump return to power.