TRUMP Memecoin Dinner Plan Draws Fire from Both Sides of the Aisle

Top Republican lawmakers are raising concerns over President Donald Trump’s offer to host a private White House dinner for major holders of his memecoin, TRUMP. 

The incentive, announced in late April, is aimed at rewarding the top-ranking participants on the token’s leaderboard. This is a move that some critics say dangerously blurs the line between political engagement and monetized access.

Republicans Voice Ethical Concerns

Senator Cynthia Lummis, often seen as one of crypto’s biggest supporters in Congress, didn’t hold back. Speaking to CNBC, she questioned the propriety of offering such exclusive access in exchange for crypto holdings. 

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski echoed those sentiments. She stated that she “wouldn’t feel right charging people to tour the Capitol,” drawing a direct contrast between public duty and personal promotion.

Ironically, Lummis, while flagging ethical red flags, also applauded Trump on the same day for backing legislation aimed at creating a national Bitcoin reserve. In a Senate address, she praised the BITCOIN Act as a necessary step to solidify the U.S.’s position in innovation. 

The contradiction hasn’t gone unnoticed, highlighting the growing complexity of crypto’s intersection with politics.

TRUMP Raises Questions About Influence and Transparency

The TRUMP token, launched on January 17, immediately sparked controversy, with critics citing potential foreign influence and campaign finance loopholes. The latest dinner incentive has reignited that fire. 

Ethics watchdog Craig Holman didn’t mince words, suggesting Trump may be willing to trade access for crypto-based fame. “He once said he couldn’t be bought,” Holman remarked. “But now he seems available — for a meme.”

The backlash hasn’t been limited to whispers. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, took it a step further by calling for Trump’s impeachment, likening the event to selling political favors for digital tokens. While the impeachment talk is unlikely to gain traction in the current political landscape, it underscores how deeply divisive the president’s crypto experiment has become.

With the dinner scheduled for May 22, attention now turns to who might attend. Speculation has swirled around big names like Tron founder Justin Sun and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Both are rumored to hold sizable amounts of the TRUMP coin.