On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump's meme cryptocurrency, TRUMP, experienced a significant surge, climbing over 60% after an announcement offering a private gala dinner for the top 220 coin holders on May 22 at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C. The top 25 buyers are additionally promised a VIP reception and special tour with the president. This initiative is part of a broader push by Trump and his family into cryptocurrency ventures, including launching the exchange World Liberty Financial and expanding Trump Media & Technology Group’s crypto finance operations. The coin, initially launched before Trump’s January 20 inauguration, has generated at least $350 million in fees for entities tied to the president.
Despite the surge, the $TRUMP coin has faced criticism. Launched just before Trump's inauguration, it had previously lost 88% of its value. Critics argue that the coin exemplifies using presidential office for personal financial gain, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and ethics violations.
The White House claims the president's assets are managed by his children, denying any conflict of interest. However, the intertwining of political power and private enterprise continues to spark debate.
