Trump Meme Coin Contest Sparks Pay-to-Play Concerns Amid Investor Losses
The Trump meme coin is offering a contest for investors to secure invitations to an exclusive dinner with President Donald Trump. The top 185 holders of the $TRUMP coin will get to attend an 'evening with 3 Legends and President Donald J. Trump' at his private club in Washington, D.C. on November 22.
The top 29 purchasers will be invited to a VIP reception, while the top four will receive an 18-karat Trump-branded gold watch. The event is a sequel to a similar gala held in 2025 that some experts described as a 'textbook pay-to-play scandal.'
Trump has faced criticism over his cryptocurrency ventures and allegations that he is profiting from his presidency. According to financial disclosures, he earned $635 million from the venture since it began in 2025.
Purchasers of Trump's crypto products have lost an estimated $4.7 billion combined, according to an analysis by Public Citizen, a watchdog group.