Pro-Crypto Senator Opposes Trump's Memecoin Dinner

Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming, along with at least one other Republican member of Congress, has expressed criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump for offering a dinner and White House tour to the leading holders of his memecoin. Lummis stated that the idea of giving exclusive access to the White House in exchange for payment makes her uncomfortable. She was not alone in her disapproval; Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski also voiced her opposition, emphasizing that it would be inappropriate to charge people for tours of the Capitol.

Despite her reservations regarding this perk, Lummis supported Trump's initiative to promote legislation aimed at establishing a national Bitcoin reserve. On May 2, she shared a video on social media expressing her satisfaction with Trump’s support for the proposed BITCOIN Act, which would formalize the creation of a U.S. crypto reserve, stemming from an executive order Trump issued.

The launch of Trump’s memecoin, the TRUMP coin, in January drew significant backlash from lawmakers and crypto industry figures who voiced concerns over conflicts of interest and the possibility of foreign actors channeling funds directly to Trump. The controversy intensified when it was announced that top memecoin holders might be invited for a White House dinner and tour, leading to accusations that the event was a form of selling access for payments.

Some critics, including government ethics experts, pointed out the inconsistency in Trump's claims of being too rich to be bought, contrasting it with his apparent willingness to accept money for memecoin-related perks. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff called for Trump’s impeachment, arguing that the memecoin dinner was a way of selling access for payments directly to Trump.

As of the latest reports, it remains uncertain whether any memecoin holders, such as prominent figures like Tron founder Justin Sun or Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will attend the planned dinner with Trump on May 22. No official statements have been made by the individuals or associated companies.