Trump set to raise millions from crypto and memecoin this month [View all]

[dalton99a]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/05/trump-crypto-memecoin.html

Trump set to raise millions from crypto and memecoin this month
Published Mon, May 5 2025 9:22 AM EDT
MacKenzie Sigalos

President Donald Trump has two crypto-focused dinners on the calendar this month — one aimed at deep-pocketed political donors, the other at meme coin millionaires. Both are poised to help him rake in millions.

The first event, a $1.5 million-per-plate fundraiser set for Monday, is among the most expensive ticketed dinners in presidential history. The second, on May 22, offers access to Trump’s inner circle not for cash — but for holders of the $TRUMP token.

Hosted by MAGA Inc., the “Crypto & AI Innovators Dinner” on May 5 features special guest David Sacks — who has been helping to rewrite the country’s crypto and artificial intelligence rules.

The second gala dinner will be held at Trump National, the president’s private club in the Washington, D.C., area, later this month. The guest list will be decided by a blockchain-based contest run by the creators of the $TRUMP meme token. Instead of cash, entry is based on how many tokens a user holds, with the top 220 holders of the token promised dinner with Trump himself. The contest runs through May 12.

The gala, which is black tie optional, offers a “WIP White House Tour” and special reception to the meme coin’s 25-biggest holders. The website hosts an active leaderboard displaying the usernames of the coin’s top buyers.

Accountable.US, a center-left watchdog group that investigates corporate and political influence, described the leaderboard contest as “the most nakedly corrupt self-enrichment scheme in U.S. presidential history,” warning it opens the door for wealthy donors — including potentially foreign actors — to buy access to the president, while personally enriching the Trump family.