Controversial Crypto Gathering with Trump Sparking Demonstrations - Protests Alongside a Private Dinner with Trump Discussing Cryptocurrency
Former President Trump Hosts Crypto Dinner, Prompts Protests and Investigation Calls
On Monday evening local time, former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a gala dinner with key investors of his cryptocurrency at one of his golf clubs, amidst vocal protests from demonstrators. Approximately 100 people gathered outside the entrance to voice their disapproval of the event, with signs reading "Stop Trump's Crypto Corruption" and "Democracy is not for sale."
The dinner, advertised as the "most exclusive invitation in the world" on the website of the "$TRUMP" memecoin—featuring Trump's likeness, was primarily attended by the top 220 holders of the cryptocurrency. Their rankings were displayed on a leaderboard, with the top 25 buyers given the opportunity to meet the president before the dinner and tour the White House. However, recent reports suggest that this latter perk is no longer included.
Critics have accused Trump of intermingling his presidential duties with personal economic interests. Representative Sean Casten penned a statement on the online platform X, expressing concerns that dozens of dinner guests were foreign nationals, potentially leading to foreign influence on U.S. politics. He further called upon the Department of Justice to investigate if the dinner violated federal bribery laws.
Similarly, Jessica Tillipman, a law professor at George Washington University, asserted that the event constitutes an unprecedented instance of a president possibly privatey benefiting from actions performed publicly.
Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed the criticism, stating that the president is participating in the dinner in his personal time and that it is not taking place at the White House.
Since his campaign, Trump has identified himself as the "Crypto President," expressing interest in digital currencies and receiving significant support from the industry. The launch of the "$TRUMP" cryptocurrency occurred just before his inauguration, sparking discussions about the connections between the Trump Organization and the industry.
An analysis by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) found that fifty of the dinner invitees hold crypto assets linked to alt-right symbols and racist language, underscoring concerns about the nature of the attendees and the event itself.
Former President Donald TrumpCryptocurrencyInvestigationProtestWhite HouseWashington D.C.Meme CoinLawsuit
- The European Union, with its commitment to the development of a European network of financial intermediaries, is closely watching the investigation and protests surrounding former President Trump's controversial crypto dinner at the White House in Washington D.C.
- Amidst the general-news about Trump's cryptocurrency dinner, the potential involvement of foreign nationals in financing the event has raised concerns in the realm of politics and crime-and-justice, prompting calls for an investigation into possible breaches of federal bribery laws.
- As Trump positions himself as the "Crypto President," technology has played a significant role in his ventures, such as the launch of his memecoin—a move that has caught the attention of law professors and ethics watchdogs, questioning its links to alt-right symbols and racist language.
