Senate Republicans Raise Ethics Concerns Over Trump's Meme Coin Dinner

President Trump's offer of exclusive dinners and VIP White House tours to top investors in his $TRUMP meme coin has drawn bipartisan criticism and scrutiny from lawmakers and ethics experts. Senate Republicans, including Cynthia Lummis and Lisa Murkowski, expressed concern over the ethics of granting presidential access in exchange for crypto investments, with some urging for clearer digital asset regulations. Democratic senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren have requested a formal federal ethics investigation, highlighting worries about selling access to the presidency and potential market manipulation after the token's value surged following the announcement. Ethics experts note that while Trump's actions may appear unethical and raise questions about using public office for private gain, they do not clearly violate current laws or the Constitution unless promises made to investors go unfulfilled, which could open the door to fraud claims. Despite significant public and legislative criticism and increased scrutiny from federal bodies, Trump has thus far avoided legal repercussions. The episode has reignited debates on regulating digital assets and presidential ethics in the context of emerging financial technologies.