$TRUMP

Donald Trump’s entry into crypto began with the launch of the $TRUMP meme coin just prior to his inauguration, as part of a broader suite of digital assets—including a stablecoin project via Liberty One Financial—backed by Trump and his sons. Designed as a “political memecoin,” $TRUMP allocated roughly 80% of its supply to the founding team and insiders, with 40 million tokens subject to vesting conditions. Trump publicly branded himself as America’s first “crypto president,” pledging lighter regulations to spur innovation.

The #DinnerWithTrump Campaign

On April 24, 2025, the team unveiled an on-chain promotion: the top 220 wallet addresses by May 22 would receive invitations to an “exclusive gala dinner” with President Trump, while the top 25 holders would also enjoy a VIP reception and a special behind-the-scenes White House tour. Organizers stipulated that attendees pass KYC checks and delayed the release of 40 million tokens for 90 days to demonstrate commitment. Despite promotional claims of Trump’s attendance, official terms noted he “may not attend,” in which case winners receive a limited-edition Trump NFT.

Market Reaction

The dinner announcement immediately drove $TRUMP’s price from approximately $9 to as high as $16.17 intraday—a 71% surge—before settling around $13.39. On Binance, the token jumped from $9 to $14.70 (over 60%) within hours. CBS News noted a rise of 58%, lifting the price to $14.32 on Wednesday afternoon. This spike also buoyed wider memecoin sentiment, as traders rotated gains into other high-beta tokens.

Ethical and Regulatory Concerns

Critics warn the campaign represents a classic “pump-and-dump” setup, risking a sharp post-event decline in token value. Ethics watchdogs argue that using the presidency to promote a personal token may violate the Emoluments Clause by leveraging public office for private gain. Although the White House asserts Trump’s assets are in an independent trust managed by his children, skepticism remains high. Legal experts caution the dinner