Key Takeaways:
- Democratic lawmakers and progressive teams are staging a rally in protest of a Trump-hosted dinner for high holders of his $TRUMP meme coin.
- Critics argue the occasion commodifies political entry, permitting rich donors, some primarily based abroad, to purchase proximity to a U.S. president.
- The rally, branded “America Is Not for Sale,” will function speeches from key Democratic figures and visible protests focusing on crypto-related political fundraising.
A coalition of Democratic lawmakers and activists is about to rally on Could 22 in protest of President Donald Trump’s controversial meme coin dinner, elevating issues over political affect and crypto-fueled favoritism.
The occasion, organized beneath the banner “America Is Not for Sale,” is a direct response to what critics say is the monetization of political entry by means of Trump’s newest crypto initiative.
Trump Slammed for ‘Promoting Entry’ through meme coin
The occasion, held at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership in Potomac Falls, Virginia, follows Trump’s announcement that the highest 220 holders of his meme coin, $TRUMP, may apply for an unique dinner with him. The highest 25 are stated to qualify for a “VIP White Home tour.”
Blockchain knowledge reveals the token has raised almost $150 million, with some attendees reportedly spending thousands and thousands for the possibility to fulfill Trump.
Opponents of the occasion, together with members of Congress, say it crosses moral traces. They declare the president is popping affect right into a transaction.
“People can’t and won’t settle for President Trump’s view that positions of energy exist solely to learn the holder of that energy,” stated Ryan Ruzic, chair of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.
Public Citizen is organizing the rally with progressive group Our Revolution. Protesters are anticipated to show banners studying “STOP CRYPTO CORRUPTION” and enlarged graphics of the $TRUMP coin.
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is scheduled to talk on the rally, alongside a number of different Democratic figures.
In line with Our Revolution, a few of the coin’s largest holders are primarily based abroad, sparking further issues about international affect.
Crypto business figures, together with Tron founder Justin Solar, Hyperithm co-CEO Oh Sangrok, Kronos Analysis CIO Vincent Liu, and Synthetix founder Kain Warwick, are among the many recognized tokenholders anticipated to attend the dinner.
In line with the undertaking, all attendees should go background checks and can’t be from international locations flagged by Know Your Buyer (KYC) compliance lists.
Public Citizen Co-President Robert Weissman echoed these issues.
“Trump’s solicitation schemes for cash, items, and energy are uncontrolled,” he stated. “Between his outrageous meme coin grift, his Tesla automotive present on the White Home garden, and his consideration to just accept a gifted jumbo jet from Qatar, Trump’s precedence goes to the very best bidder.”
Trump Household’s Crypto Hyperlinks Elevate Ethics Considerations, Stall Stablecoin Laws
The dinner has additionally had political penalties in Washington.
For instance, some Democratic lawmakers have withdrawn help for crypto-related payments in protest, together with the GENIUS Act, a measure centered on regulating cost stablecoins.
Although the act handed a key Senate vote on Could 19, a number of senators voiced concern over Trump’s ties to World Liberty Monetary, a crypto platform that launched its personal stablecoin, USD1, in March.
Critics fear the Trump household’s involvement with the corporate may current severe conflicts of curiosity.
“Many senators, myself included, have very actual issues in regards to the Trump household’s use of crypto applied sciences to evade oversight, disguise shady monetary dealings, and personally revenue on the expense of on a regular basis People,” stated Sen. Mark Warner in an announcement earlier than the vote.
Senator Chris Murphy, who opposed advancing the GENIUS Act, referred to as for bipartisan efforts so as to add provisions that might bar a U.S. president from issuing stablecoins.
The Senate has an opportunity – proper now – to close down Trump's largest crypto coin corruption. The pending invoice within the Senate regulates a form of crypto referred to as "stablecoin", however exempts the President from the ethics guidelines. We shouldn't go that invoice except that loophole is closed. pic.twitter.com/eHLeCdBV9m
— Chris Murphy
(@ChrisMurphyCT) Could 21, 2025
He additionally urged the White Home to launch a full listing of dinner attendees, warning that many could also be anticipating favors in return for his or her token purchases.
Murphy will be part of Senator Elizabeth Warren and representatives of Public Citizen at a press occasion on the night of the dinner.
California Consultant Maxine Waters, rating member of the Home Monetary Companies Committee, is planning a separate press convention on Could 22.
She is predicted to introduce laws to dam Trump’s meme coin and curb what she calls “crypto corruption.”
In the meantime, further protests are being organized by native Democratic teams, together with the Arlington and Loudoun County Democratic Committees.
“Now we have an ethical duty to talk out in opposition to corruption, regardless of the end result could also be,” stated Ryan Ruzic, chair of the Loudoun County Democrats.
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