Lamar Odom Joins Trump at Cryptocurrency Gala
Former NBA star Lamar Odom was one of the prominent investors present at a cryptocurrency gala hosted by former President Donald Trump at his upscale golf club in Sterling, Virginia. This event was organized to attract key supporters of Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin initiative. Despite his celebrity status, Odom encountered jeers and protests from demonstrators as he made his way through security. In a video shared on X (previously known as Twitter), Odom seemed unfazed by the reception, expressing his excitement: “I’m just about to pass through security and officially walk into the Trump Gala. Honestly… I’m fired up.” He also took the opportunity to promote his own meme coin, $ODOM, stating, “Think about it, what meme coin has ever done this? $ODOM isn’t just a token, it’s taking the stage at a presidential gala tonight!” He further characterized the gathering as “the most authentic soulful experience in crypto history.”
Protests and Political Backlash
Outside the event, protesters displayed signs with messages such as “stop crypto corruption,” “no corrupt fools,” and “Don the Con,” signaling their discontent. Odom was among those targeted by their ire; one protester labeled him a “hypocrite” in footage shared on social media. The demonstration featured banners proclaiming “No Kings.” U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) was a prominent figure among the protesters, stating to The New York Times, “This is the crypto corruption club. This is like the Mount Everest of corruption.” Similar concerns were voiced by congressional Democrats and ethics experts, who contend that events like this can provide wealthy individuals with inappropriate access to the president, potentially leading to conflicts of interest. In response, a coalition of congressional Democrats sent a letter to the Department of Justice, urging an examination of whether the crypto gala could breach federal bribery laws or the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts or payments from foreign entities.
Controversial Crypto Venture
Just three days prior to his inauguration in January 2025, Trump revealed the launch of the $TRUMP meme coin, branding it as an entertaining way for his supporters to engage with his campaign. Reports from the Associated Press indicated that the coin initially saw a spike in value before experiencing a significant drop. Nevertheless, sources linked to the Trump Organization reportedly earned hundreds of millions in trading fees during this period. Critics have criticized the venture as a thinly disguised scheme for political fundraising and influence peddling. The gala in Sterling attracted 220 elite investors in the $TRUMP coin. Although the White House did not disclose the official guest list, several attendees, including Odom, publicly acknowledged their participation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims of financial impropriety, calling it “absurd for anyone to insinuate that this president is profiting off of the presidency.”
Lamar Odom’s Crypto Aspirations and Public Persona
Lamar Odom, a two-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, has increasingly immersed himself in the cryptocurrency sector. He leveraged the Trump event to showcase his own digital currency, $ODOM. The 14-year NBA veteran has remained a public figure due to his high-profile marriage to Khloé Kardashian, appearances on reality television, and a highly publicized health crisis in 2015 when he was found unconscious after a drug overdose at a Nevada brothel. Odom’s involvement in the gala and the subsequent backlash adds another dimension to his already complex public image as he endeavors to establish himself in the fast-changing world of cryptocurrency entrepreneurship.
