In a bizarre blend of politics, crypto, and celebrity culture, hundreds of buyers of the $TRUMP meme coin are learning today whether they’ve won what former President Donald Trump called the “most EXCLUSIVE INVITATION in the world”: a dinner with him at his private club near Washington, D.C., on May 22.
According to the official event page, the top 220 holders of the meme coin will secure a seat at the gala. But that’s not all—the top 25 investors will get an ultra-exclusive VIP reception and a special behind-the-scenes tour. Winners are ranked based on their “time-weighted” coin holdings, meaning it’s not just about how much $TRUMP you bought, but how long you’ve held it since the contest launched on April 23.
At the peak of the frenzy, $TRUMP coins shot up to $75 each before plummeting to $7.50. Currently, it’s trading around $14. As of Friday, the combined value of the top 220 wallets was a whopping $160 million.
Leading the pack is a wallet labeled “SUN,” holding $18 million worth of $TRUMP coin. This wallet is tied to HTX, a crypto exchange based in Seychelles and connected to Chinese crypto mogul Justin Sun. Sun also reportedly invested $75 million in the Trump family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, and is an advisor on the project.
Despite disclaimers that Trump “may not attend” and that the event could be canceled at any time, thousands are betting big for a chance at proximity to the former president. One wallet ranked 220th only held about $53,000 in $TRUMP—still a hefty price for a dinner invite.
The entire $TRUMP coin market is valued at $2.74 billion, and Trump-affiliated entities control 80% of its supply. Since its launch, entities tied to Trump have earned over $320 million in fees—$1.35 million of which came after the dinner event was announced.
However, critics argue the coin creates dangerous avenues for foreign influence. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns that anonymous investors can buy access to Trump. Some even call it a direct threat to U.S. ethics in politics.
Senator Chris Murphy slammed the venture as “the single most corrupt act ever committed by a president.” He and others have proposed legislation to ban presidents and lawmakers from profiting off crypto.
What’s more troubling: as Trump pushes to deregulate crypto markets, his own family stands to benefit. The Department of Justice recently dismantled its crypto enforcement unit, sparking even more backlash.
While a handful of investors have made millions, the majority have not been so lucky. Over 600,000 wallets have lost nearly $4 billion combined—many of them smaller investors hoping to catch a break.
For Kali, a 27-year-old from Hawaii who organizes luxury vacations, her $10,000 gamble may never pay off. “I just want to break even,” she said, nervously watching the coin’s price.
The $TRUMP meme coin isn’t just a crypto token—it’s becoming a symbol of modern political fandom, financial risk, and the thin line between influence and access.
