Emre Yumlu 
U.S. President Donald Trump is under fire after using the official presidential seal during an exclusive dinner with investors in his newly launched $TRUMP memecoin — a move that could potentially breach federal law.
Private Crypto Dinner Raises Questions Over Seal Usage
The event was hosted at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, where Trump addressed an audience of 220 prominent crypto investors. What drew particular attention was the presence of the presidential seal on the podium behind him.
U.S. law prohibits the use of the presidential seal in ways that could imply government endorsement or sponsorship. Violating this statute can result in fines or imprisonment of up to six months.
Trump reportedly arrived at the venue via military helicopter and used the occasion to thank investors and criticize the Biden administration’s approach to digital assets.
White House Responds: “A Personal Engagement”
When questioned about Trump’s role at the dinner, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the event was not affiliated with the federal government. “This is not a White House function,” she stated, emphasizing that it was a personal engagement by the president.
Use of Seal at Trump Properties Not Unprecedented
Trump has previously faced scrutiny for featuring the presidential seal at his private resorts, including on golf markers at his clubs. While the legality of such uses has been questioned in the past, this latest incident involves a financial element with potential political implications.
On May 22, 35 members of Congress sent a letter to the Department of Justice, calling for an investigation into whether the dinner may have violated bribery laws or the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Concerns Over Foreign Influence in Crypto Event
Reports suggest that many of the attendees had ties to international crypto exchanges, raising red flags about possible foreign influence. U.S. election laws strictly prohibit political contributions from foreign nationals. Critics argue that using the $TRUMP token to grant access to the president could be a loophole allowing anonymous foreign funding of political influence.
Trump’s Sudden Embrace of Digital Assets
Trump’s active promotion of crypto marks a sharp contrast to his skeptical stance during his presidency. The $TRUMP memecoin, launched earlier this year, soared to $74.34 at its peak before sliding to $14.44 by May 22.
Notable guests at the event included Tron founder Justin Sun, former NBA player Lamar Odom, and crypto industry figures from Asia such as Sangrok Oh and Vincent Liu.
Justin Sun, who reportedly invested over $40 million in $TRUMP tokens, has been a key supporter of Trump’s crypto-related ventures. He is also the primary backer of World Liberty Financial, a Trump-affiliated company currently facing regulatory scrutiny.
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