The event took place on May 22 at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Invitations were extended to the top 220 holders of the TRUMP token. Pinto, who reportedly spent around $300,000 on the token to qualify, was one of them.
The three-course menu included a “Trump organic field green salad,” filet mignon, pan-seared halibut with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, and a lava cake for dessert. However, Pinto remarked, “The only good thing was the bread and butter.” He even joked that the steak tasted like “Walmart beef” and said he would have preferred a Big Mac or pizza — referencing Trump’s well-known love for fast food.
The food wasn’t the only disappointment. Pinto also criticized Trump’s brief speech, calling it a bunch of “empty words.” In the speech, Trump said things like: “Crypto might be something special — who knows, right?” Pinto and other guests were also disappointed that Trump left immediately afterward, instead of staying to personally hand out promised watches to the top investors.
Meanwhile, 35 Democratic lawmakers have called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the dinner. They suspect Trump may have accepted foreign investments, potentially violating anti-bribery laws and the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which prohibits U.S. presidents from receiving gifts from foreign governments without Congressional approval.
The dinner attracted guests from around the world — a point Trump proudly mentioned in his speech. However, based on Pinto’s harsh review, the event may not have left the positive impression Trump had hoped for.
