Senator Cynthia Lummis, one of Capitol Hill’s most prominent pro-crypto voices, has raised red flags over former President Donald Trump’s plan to reward top holders of his $TRUMP memecoin with an exclusive dinner and White House tour. While Lummis has backed Trump’s crypto-related initiatives in the past—particularly his support for a national Bitcoin reserve—this latest campaign perk appears to have crossed an ethical line for her.
In comments reported by CNBC, Lummis said the notion of offering private presidential access in exchange for financial participation “gives [her] pause.” The memecoin incentive plan was unveiled on April 23 and grants the top 220 $TRUMP holders a dinner invite, with the top 25 receiving additional VIP treatment.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski echoed the concern, stating,
“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to charge people to come into the Capitol and take a tour,”
—signaling bipartisan discomfort around the optics of monetizing access to federal institutions through crypto-based promotions.
The memecoin, launched earlier this year, has soared in value following the dinner announcement. While Trump’s camp has marketed the coin as a “grassroots digital revolution,” critics argue the dinner strategy blurs the lines between legitimate campaign engagement and potential “pay-to-play” influence.
Lummis Supports Bitcoin Bill, Rejects Memecoin Incentives
While Senator Lummis has voiced concerns over Trump’s memecoin-based campaign incentives, she remains aligned with the former president’s broader crypto agenda—particularly his push for a national Bitcoin reserve.
On May 2, Lummis posted a video on X expressing support for Trump’s proposed BITCOIN Act—a bill seeking to enshrine into law an executive order to create a strategic crypto reserve in the United States.
“I am particularly pleased by President Trump’s support of this legislation,” Lummis said during a Senate floor address.
The BITCOIN Act—officially the Boosting Innovation, Technology, and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide Act—aims to institutionalize Bitcoin as part of the country’s sovereign financial infrastructure.
Still, Lummis’ endorsement of Trump’s legislative efforts doesn’t erase ethical concerns around the $TRUMP token. Launched in January, the token continues to draw criticism—especially after Trump revealed that top holders would be eligible for a White House dinner and tour.
Critics argue the initiative undermines campaign finance norms by offering exclusive access to public institutions in exchange for crypto investments.
“Trump once claimed he is so rich he cannot be bought,” said Craig Holman, government ethics expert at Public Citizen.
“But his obsession with money means he apparently can be bought for a meme.”
Trump Faces Impeachment Calls Over $TRUMP Token Dinner
Donald Trump’s embrace of cryptocurrency has now ignited not only ethics debates but also fresh calls for impeachment—this time over allegations that he is using memecoins to sell access to the White House.
During a town hall on April 25, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff called for Trump’s impeachment, arguing that the president’s offer of a dinner and White House tour to top holders of the TRUMP token amounts to “selling access for what are effectively payments directly to him.” Ossoff’s remarks reflect growing Democratic pushback against what many view as a dangerous mix of personal profit and public office.
While Trump was previously impeached twice during his first term but avoided conviction, this latest controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny around crypto-driven campaign financing. Critics say the dinner scheme violates the spirit—if not the letter—of long-standing anti-corruption standards.
Adding to the buzz is speculation over who may be eligible for the exclusive dinner event scheduled for May 22. TRUMP token leaderboard data suggests high-profile names like Tron founder Justin Sun and Tesla CEO Elon Musk could be among the top holders. However, as of May 2, neither has confirmed their participation or acknowledged their token positions publicly.
As crypto continues to merge with mainstream politics, Trump’s $TRUMP token may become a litmus test for how far a president can go in monetizing public access through digital assets.
Quick Facts
- Senator Cynthia Lummis has raised ethical concerns over Trump’s $TRUMP dinner event.
- The event offers exclusive White House access to top crypto investors.
- Bipartisan voices are urging an ethics probe over potential “pay-to-play” risks.
- Despite criticism, Lummis supports Trump’s proposed BITCOIN Act to create a national reserve.
