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3d ago

Mike Johnson Defends Trump’s Crypto Dinner as Transparency Concerns Grow

The House Speaker claimed ignorance of the $TRUMP investor dinner but praised Trump as 'transparent,' drawing criticism over conflicts of interest and foreign influence.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), accompanied by President Donald Trump, speaks to members of the media as they depart from the U.S. Capitol on May 20 in Washington, D.C.
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Overview

  • President Donald Trump hosted an exclusive dinner on May 22 for top investors in his $TRUMP meme coin, with attendees investing a combined $148 million to secure invitations.
  • The guest list has not been publicly disclosed, raising concerns about transparency, especially as over half of the attendees are believed to be based outside the United States.
  • Trump’s use of the presidential seal during the dinner has drawn scrutiny for potentially violating federal laws prohibiting its use for private gain.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a May 25 interview with CNN, claimed he was unaware of the event but defended Trump as 'the most transparent president' and dismissed calls for further scrutiny.
  • Critics argue that Johnson's defense highlights a lack of oversight, particularly as Trump’s crypto ventures have significantly boosted his personal wealth, comprising 37% of his total assets.