Dinner with Trump Involving Cryptocurrency Discussions Met with Protests outside the Venue - Protests Erupt During Cryptocurrency Meal with Trump
US President Donald Trump hosted a high-profile dinner with major investors of his cryptocurrency, "TRUMP," at one of his golf clubs, a move accompanied by vocal protests from demonstrators. The event, held outside the White House, was criticized for potentially blurring President Trump's presidential duties with his personal economic interests.
According to reports from journalists in attendance, around 100 protesters gathered outside the golf club entrance in the evening, displaying signs reading "Stop Trump's Crypto Corruption" and "Democracy is not for sale." Videos online showed protesters chanting "Shame, Shame."
The exclusive dinner, advertised on the "$TRUMP" meme coin's website, was open to 220 main investors, with their rankings listed on a leaderboard. The top 25 buyers of the cryptocurrency were offered a private reception by the president and a "special VIP tour." Initial reports suggested that they were promised a tour of the White House, but this is no longer specified.
Critics have accused Trump of using his presidency to benefit privately from his personal economic interests. Democratic Representative Sean Casten voiced concern about the event, stating on X that many guests were foreign nationals. He called on the Department of Justice to investigate whether the dinner violated federal bribery laws.
Jessica Tillipman, a legal expert at George Washington University, criticized the event as "unprecedented," suggesting it may indicate a president privately benefiting from actions taken publicly. However, Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt dismissed such criticism, stating that the event was a private dinner, not a White House event.
Trump has often referred to himself as the "Crypto President" and expresses a strong interest in digital currencies. The industry has supported him since his campaign, and he launched the cryptocurrency "$TRUMP" before taking office. The investments and connections of the Trump Organization, led by the president's sons, have sparked debate.
The legality of the event is complex and subject to interpretation of federal bribery laws. The arrangement could raise questions about the potential influence of political decisions by contributions to the cryptocurrency. However, any specific evidence of a quid pro quo or intent to influence political decisions would be required to establish a legal violation.
[1] The Washington Post: 'Trump's crypto friends dined at his golf club, amid protests, but now he's under investigation'[2] CBS News: Legal expert questions ethics of Trump's 'crypto dinner' amid bribery concerns
- The European Union needs to take notice of the situation in the US, as the financial interests of the President, potentially blurring political duties with personal economic interests, raises concerns about the ethics of such actions and their influence on political decisions.
- Given the recent cryptocurrency dinner hosted by President Trump, debates have arisen over the potential impact of foreign investments on the EU's general-news landscape, with critics suggesting similar concerns about influence and potential corruption that may emerge from such financial engagements.
