Former President Donald Trump is facing renewed legal questions after reportedly using the official U.S. presidential seal at a private dinner event for investors of the $TRUMP meme coin.
The gathering, which took place at Trump’s Virginia golf club, has drawn attention from legal experts and federal watchdogs who cite a potential violation of Section 713 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
The law prohibits the use of the presidential seal in private or commercial contexts that could imply government endorsement.
A breach of this statute could result in a fine or up to six months in prison.
Legal scholars were quick to note that past presidents, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden, have avoided using the seal for private ventures.
Also, underlining the seal’s limited use for official state functions only. The White House has yet to issue a formal comment on the matter.
Dinner Blends Political Messaging With Crypto Promotion Amid Legal Concerns
The private event, reportedly attended by 220 top investors in the $TRUMP meme coin, was held shortly after Trump flew in from the White House aboard a military helicopter, another detail that has raised eyebrows.
Speaking at a podium adorned with the presidential seal, Trump delivered a speech that blended political rhetoric with promotional crypto messaging.
According to The New York Times, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s crypto policies and assured guests, “We’re honored to be working on helping everybody here.”
Though White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted the event was held during Trump’s personal time and had no official government connection.
The use of state symbols and transport has raised serious concerns about blurred lines between public office and private interests.
Ethics and Influence: Critics Warn of Unchecked Lobbying
Critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), have expressed alarm over what they describe as a potential avenue for foreign influence and lobbying.
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Murphy said the dinner enabled “foreign individuals of significant influence and wealth to directly lobby the President of the United States.”
Among the guests were Chinese crypto billionaire Justin Sun, who is currently facing fraud charges from the SEC, Korean crypto executive Sangrok Oh, Taiwanese investor Vincent Liu, and former NBA star Lamar Odom.
Notably, Sun has invested over $75 million in Trump-related ventures and is the largest holder of $TRUMP tokens.
With $148 million invested by the dinner attendees, according to analytics from Inca Digital, the event’s high-dollar nature only intensified ethical concerns around transparency and influence.
Background on Trump’s Evolving Relationship With Crypto
Trump’s involvement in the crypto world marks a significant shift from his first term, during which he was publicly skeptical of digital assets.
Since leaving office, however, he has embraced the sector, launching several blockchain-related initiatives, including the $TRUMP meme coin.
The coin saw an explosive debut, trading at $74.34 earlier this year before plummeting to $14.44 by Thursday.
According to Forbes, this isn’t the first time Trump has used presidential symbols in private settings, golf markers bearing the presidential seal have been reported at five of his clubs.
The fusion of crypto finance, presidential iconography, and campaign-style messaging has made this latest dinner a flashpoint for broader discussions around ethics and legality.