President Donald Trump has made headlines with his plans for two lavish gala dinners this month. The dinner is aimed at top investors in his $TRUMP memecoin. The event, blending crypto and political access, is arranged to raise millions of dollars on May 22nd.
Trump’s $1.5M Dinner Requirements
The “Crypto & AI Innovators Dinner” is a high-stakes affair, open only to the top 220 $TRUMP memecoin holders, verified via blockchain records. Each seat costs a jaw-dropping $1.5 million, making it one of the priciest political fundraisers ever. Attendees must pass background checks and cannot be from KYC watchlist countries. The top 25 investors also get a White House tour, sweetening the deal.
Launched January 17 by President Donald Trump on the Solana blockchain, $TRUMP memecoin surged to a $14.5 billion market cap within days, driven by Trump’s endorsement and crypto hype. CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC own 80% of the 1 billion tokens, with 200 million initially released. After peaking at $74.59, it crashed 64%, now trading at $11.17 with a $2.24 billion market cap, facing volatility and ethical scrutiny.
The dinner event doubles as a fundraiser for a pro-Trump PAC, which brings politics and profit side by side in a bold move.
Dinner Big Wins and Bigger Backlash
Trump’s crypto dinners have reportedly been a source of considerable success and scandal in recent times. In 2024, a $1 million-per-plate event drew heavyweights like Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong, who raised $10 million for Trump’s campaign. Guests got face time with Trump, who pushed pro-crypto policies that were later enacted via a 2025 executive order easing regulations.
However, a 2023 dinner faced heat when foreign investors attended, triggering ethics probes that ultimately stalled. Critics have been vocal. For instance, Senator Cynthia Lummis said, “This is my president that we’re talking about, but I am willing to say that this gives me pause.” Senator Jon Ossoff called it “an impeachable offense,” accusing Trump of “selling access.” Accountable labeled it “unacceptable,” echoing concerns about corruption.
