Former President Donald Trump held a private dinner Thursday evening for top investors in his cryptocurrency venture, drawing a mix of high-profile figures from the digital asset world, legal circles, and sports, according to guest lists and social media posts reviewed by The New York Times. The event, hosted at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, marked a rare blend of presidential influence, private enterprise, and cryptocurrency promotion.
The invitation-only event catered to the top 220 holders of Trump’s memecoin, known as $TRUMP, many of whom secured access by acquiring large quantities of the token over a designated timeframe. The top 25 investors were granted VIP status, which included a more exclusive pre-dinner gathering and an unofficial tour of the White House the following day.
While the attendees’ identities were not publicly disclosed in advance, The Times identified several individuals through a combination of printed guest lists, firsthand observations at the venue, and self-reported social media posts. Notably, some of those present were only previously known by the pseudonyms tied to their digital wallets—underscoring the intersection of cryptocurrency anonymity and real-world political engagement.
Among the most notable invitees was Justin Sun, a Chinese crypto billionaire currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC alleges that Sun manipulated the value of a cryptocurrency—charges he has denied. Sun is also a major investor in World Liberty Financial, a crypto enterprise reportedly linked to companies associated with Trump’s business interests. He declined to comment on his attendance Thursday night.
Also on the guest list was an attorney who has represented Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a former NBA player, and crypto executives from major hubs like Miami Beach and Singapore. Their presence at the event highlighted the global reach and growing influence of Trump’s reentry into the digital finance arena.
The event served a dual purpose: to reward and galvanize supporters of Trump’s cryptocurrency brand, and to generate revenue for Trump’s private business holdings. His Virginia golf club, which hosted the dinner, reportedly earned significant income from the high-profile gathering.
Guests arriving at the dinner were met by protesters outside the club gates, a reminder of the controversial nature of the former president’s overlapping business and political roles. Once inside, guests checked in via traditional paper lists—a striking contrast to the blockchain-based technology that brought them there.
On Friday, several $TRUMP token holders were seen entering and exiting the White House, drawing further scrutiny over the blending of public spaces with private enterprise. While no official White House endorsement was made, the presence of crypto investors at the residence of a former president raised new questions about ethics, transparency, and access.
