Tron founder Justin Sun was honored with a Trump-branded Golden Tourbillon watch after emerging as the top holder of President Donald Trump’s $TRUMP memecoin—a move that’s ignited fierce debate over influence and ethics at the highest levels of U.S. politics.

Sun Takes Center Stage at Trump’s Crypto Gala

On May 23, Justin Sun revealed on X that he received the exclusive Trump Golden Tourbillon watch during a lavish dinner hosted by President Trump at his private golf club in Virginia.

The event gathered 220 of the largest $TRUMP memecoin holders, with entry requiring an estimated $148 million in collective token purchases.

Sun, a crypto billionaire and major backer of Trump-linked ventures, claimed the top spot, holding nearly $18.5 million in $TRUMP tokens at the time.

The top 25 token holders, who collectively spent over $111 million, were treated to a VIP reception and private tour with Trump himself.

The four largest holders, including Sun, were awarded the limited-edition Trump-branded watches, each valued at $100,000.

Political Blowback and Protest

The high-profile gala quickly drew criticism from lawmakers and ethics groups, who blasted the event as a “pay-to-play” scheme and a new low in political fundraising.

Protesters gathered outside the club, holding signs like “America is not for sale” and “Stop Crypto Corruption,” while Democratic leaders called for investigations into potential conflicts of interest and foreign influence.

Senator Elizabeth Warren described the event as an “orgy of corruption,” warning that Trump’s crypto ventures—now including memecoins, stablecoins, and crypto ETFs—blur the lines between personal profit and public service.

The fact that Trump family-controlled entities hold 80% of the $TRUMP token supply and have generated over $320 million in fees since January has only intensified scrutiny.

Justin Sun’s connections to the Trump crypto ecosystem run deep. Beyond his $TRUMP holdings, Sun has invested $75 million in World Liberty Financial (WLF), a Trump-linked crypto venture, and purchased $30 million worth of its tokens at launch.

He also serves as an adviser to Liberty Financial, the Trump crypto platform that has reportedly generated hundreds of millions in revenue for the former president’s network.

Sun’s presence at the dinner—while he faces ongoing legal scrutiny in the U.S.—underscores the global reach and controversy surrounding the event.

Former NBA star Lamar Odom and other high-profile crypto investors were also in attendance, highlighting the convergence of celebrity, politics, and digital assets at the Trump gala.

The event’s use of the presidential seal, Trump’s direct involvement, and the anonymous nature of many $TRUMP token holders have raised fresh questions about the boundaries of political fundraising, the Emoluments Clause, and the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections.

Lawmakers have called for full disclosure of attendees and any promised favors, while the White House insists Trump’s participation was “personal” and in compliance with all conflict-of-interest laws.