Just days before his inauguration, President Donald Trump introduced his own meme coin, and three months later, he announced a special dinner for the top 220 holders of $Trump. It was touted as “the most exclusive invitation in the world.” The token’s value had spiked significantly, with investors spending substantial amounts—60% more, in fact—to secure their spots. Overall, it seemed like a good day for someone who was not just a head of state but also increasing his family’s wealth, supposedly nearing $3 billion through various crypto ventures.
The dinner took place at Trump National Golf Club, located outside Washington, DC. Participants reportedly forked out an average of $1 million each, totaling almost $400 million for admission. The top 25 investors received a more exclusive meet-and-greet with Trump, but the rest of the attendees, which included many foreign executives, found themselves somewhat disappointed. They expected deeper engagement on critical issues like cryptocurrency regulations but ended up with a brief encounter, catching Trump as he hopped into a golf cart on his way to the helicopter.
Nicholas Pinto, a business influencer who invested about $300,000 in Trump coins, shared his thoughts on the food: “It was the worst I’ve ever had on the Trump Golf Course.” The meal featured surf and turf, with halibut and filet mignon being the highlights. He even referred to the steak as “Walmart Steak.” Photos of the plates suggested that the dining experience barely met airline standards, which isn’t exactly a high bar, especially coming from a kitchen that’s been called out for its quality before.
Among those enjoying additional perks was Justin Sun, a Chinese entrepreneur and crypto billionaire embroiled in some legal challenges. He claimed to be the largest holder of $Trump and boasted of having invested $75 million in the digital token. Sun received a generous $100,000 gold-playing card watch and was quick to defend Trump against any allegations of impropriety regarding the event. “There’s something positive going on in the industry,” he asserted, brushing off concerns about bribery.
Outside the club, protesters were voicing their dissent, including Senator Jeff Markley from Oregon, who held signs saying, “America is not for sale.” The White House Press Secretary attempted to defend the event, insisting that Trump was merely enjoying himself “in his personal age,” but that hardly quelled criticisms. Trump meanwhile, emphasized the importance of code and regulations, suggesting there’s a deeper meaning in the crypto space.
Predictions for the dinner initially saw $Trump rise to nearly $16, but it dropped under $13 by the next day. Trump’s company owns about 800 million tokens, which could theoretically value his holdings around $10 billion. Inside the circle, volatility seems manageable, as they earn trading fees every time coins are exchanged. However, for the countless retail investors who jumped into this venture, it hasn’t been so rosy. By February, the coin lost a staggering $2 billion after a brief surge, raising questions about whether the endeavor was worth the investment—especially for an invitation to a lackluster dinner.
