- Attendees of President Trump’s recent crypto dinner have received limited-edition NFTs
- The digital gifts, distributed in three tiers, have already fetched up to $16,000 on secondary markets
- The event and subsequent NFT rewards have intensified scrutiny over potential ethical and legal concerns
Victims of President Donald Trump’s lacklustre crypto dinner last month have received exclusive NFTs, some of which are proving to be very valuable. These digital collectibles, varying in rarity based on participation level, were handed out in tiers to the most committed $TRUMP holders. However, the rewards have only increased the pressure on Trump and his entourage over the intersection of political influence and cryptocurrency ventures.
A Night of Crypto and Controversy
On May 22, 2025, President Trump hosted a black-tie dinner at his National Golf Club in Virginia for the top 220 holders of his $TRUMP meme coin. The event, which required substantial investment in the cryptocurrency for attendance, featured a VIP reception for the top 25 investors. Notable attendees included crypto magnate Justin Sun and former NBA player Lamar Odom, but the event was panned for its airline food-style dinner and Trump’s rambling talk–which largely ignored crypto–and his abrupt departure.
Outside the venue, over 100 protesters gathered, voicing concerns over “crypto corruption” and the potential for foreign influence in U.S. politics.
NFTs: Digital Tokens of Loyalty
Attendees and registrants have now started to take receipt of Solana-based NFTs, categorized into three tiers:
- Power to the Holders: Distributed to 1,049 individuals who registered for the dinner
- Gold Gala Dinner: Given to 219 attendees of the event
- Diamond Hands: Awarded to 118 participants who held onto their $TRUMP tokens throughout the dinner
These NFTs, while lacking inherent utility, have become valuable collectibles; a “Diamond Hands” NFT recently sold for approximately $16,000, which may mitigate the losses held by that holder over the recent 30% drop in price.
Not everyone is pleased with Trump’s actions, however; Representative Jamie Raskin has initiated an investigation into the dinner, citing concerns over potential violations of the Constitution’s emoluments clause and the possibility of foreign actors gaining undue influence through cryptocurrency investments.
