Former President Donald Trump is making a high-profile return to the political fundraising circuit — this time with the crypto community in tow. Two upcoming events in May are expected to raise millions: one for wealthy political donors and the other targeting holders of the $TRUMP memecoin. Both dinners offer exclusive access to Trump or his inner circle, further cementing the former president’s growing alignment with the digital asset world.
On May 5, a “Crypto & AI Innovators Dinner” hosted by MAGA Inc. is priced at an eye-watering $1.5 million per plate. The special guest is tech investor David Sacks, a vocal advocate for crypto and AI regulation reform who is reportedly helping reshape U.S. policy from within Trump’s orbit.
Blockchain Access: Buy a Coin, Meet Trump
Later this month, Trump will host a second dinner at his private Washington, D.C.-area golf club — but this time, access is token-based. Rather than traditional campaign contributions, entry to the black-tie-optional gala is determined by holdings of the $TRUMP token, a memecoin created earlier this year.
The top 220 token holders, as determined by a blockchain leaderboard contest running through May 12, are promised a seat at the event. The top 25 are offered a “VIP White House Tour” and private reception. While the website doesn’t guarantee Trump’s attendance — and notes an NFT will be given instead if plans change — the event has still sent the coin’s value soaring.
Insider Gains and Questions of Influence
Following the event’s announcement, the $TRUMP token surged over 50%, significantly boosting the paper wealth of early backers. According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, over $324 million in trading fees have been generated by the token’s smart contract mechanism, with a large share funnelled into wallets controlled by the project’s creators — reportedly linked to the Trump Organization.
About 80% of the token’s supply is controlled by Trump-linked wallets. Public disclosures indicate insiders have committed to a 90-day lock-up period before selling their tokens — though critics warn this still opens doors for profiteering and influence-buying.
Watchdogs Raise Red Flags
Not everyone is applauding the crypto-driven campaign. Watchdog group Accountable.US labelled the memecoin leaderboard as “the most nakedly corrupt self-enrichment scheme in U.S. presidential history.” They argue the system allows wealthy — and potentially foreign — actors to gain privileged access to a former president without traditional transparency.
Because crypto wallets are pseudonymous, verifying the identities of token holders remains difficult. For instance, controversial crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun publicly disclosed a $75 million stake in another Trump-related project earlier this year, even while negotiating with the SEC over fraud charges.
A New Era of Political Fundraising?
While Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third presidential term, MAGA Inc. — the super PAC hosting the events — continues to operate as a powerful political machine. The group has not yet disclosed how it intends to spend the millions raised from these crypto events.
What’s clear is that the fusion of memecoins, NFTs, and political access marks a new frontier in campaign finance — one that blends decentralised technology with centralised influence at the highest level.
