Money Grab/Charge for access to the president
Trump hosts the top 297 holders of his meme coin at Mar-a-Lago
On April 25, 2026, Trump hosted a second exclusive gala at Mar-a-Lago for the largest holders of his $TRUMP memecoin. The top 297 investors by time-weighted holdings were invited; the top 29 got a VIP reception, branded watches and colognes. The family earns a fee on every trade of the coin.
What happened
$TRUMP is a memecoin launched under the president’s name three days before his inauguration. It peaked at $75.35 on January 19, 2025, its launch-weekend high, and fell more than 94%. The Trump family earns a fee on every trade; Forbes has estimated those fees at nearly $400 million.
In May 2025 the coin’s top 220 holders were invited to a dinner at Trump’s Virginia golf club. He spoke briefly and handed out gold watches. Many attendees came from overseas and most were anonymous.
On April 25, 2026, a second event was held at Mar-a-Lago: a gala luncheon and “crypto and business conference” for the top 297 holders. Holders were ranked by time-weighted holdings on Robinhood between March 12 and April 10. The top 29 were promised a VIP reception with Trump plus Trump-branded watches, fragrance, posters and trading cards. The White House said Trump would deliver a keynote. The coin rose more than 50% after the announcement.
Who benefited
Trump and his family collect a fee on every trade of a coin that becomes more valuable to buyers when holding it buys an afternoon with the president. The event lifted the coin’s price, and with it trading volume and fees.
Who wanted something
The 297 top holders are identified only by pseudonyms or wallet strings. The record does not identify them or what business they had before the U.S. government. What they bought, with the president’s own token, was access to him and his circle.
Who lost out
Access to the president was sold for holdings in a product that pays his family, to buyers whose identities the public does not know. No public money is in this record. The cost is in who gets in the room and on what terms.
Why it matters
Senators Warren, Schiff and Blumenthal demanded records from the organizer, Bill Zanker, calling it a sale of access. A sitting president headlined an event where the price of admission was buying a product that enriches him. This was the second time. The organizers’ fine print said he might not attend and no gifts would be accepted.