Binance Founder CZ Denies Links to Trump Memecoin Dinner

On June 6, Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, responded to inquiries from the New York Times regarding his involvement in a Trump memecoin dinner held on May 22. The event, which took place at Trump's Northern Virginia golf club, was attended by the top 220 holders of the $TRUMP token. The New York Times had questioned CZ about his alleged connection with Tianying He, also known as “Sky,” who was present at the dinner. CZ clarified that he did not know Sky prior to the event and that their interaction began only after Sky reached out following CZ’s post on perpetual DEXs. CZ denied any personal or business ties with Sky or his company, LuckyFuture, stating that the inquiries were baseless attempts to stir dramatic stories.

The New York Times had posed two key questions to CZ: one about any personal or family link between him and Tianying He, and the other about whether LuckyFuture had any business connection with Binance. CZ publicly dismissed both implications, stating that he first saw Sky’s post with a BNB Chain logo and that no prior discussions had occurred between the two about Trump or American politics. CZ’s response highlighted the growing friction between traditional media and crypto influencers, as the New York Times’ questions implied deeper links between CZ, Tianying He, and the Trump memecoin dinner. CZ framed the outreach as an example of insinuation without evidence, accusing the publication of either making assumptions or attempting to provoke controversy.

A significant part of the New York Times’ inquiry centered around Sky’s use of the phrase “cousin” when referring to CZ. Sky had used the Chinese term “大表哥” (dà biǎo gē), which directly translates to “older male cousin.” Crypto users in Chinese communities commonly use this term for CZ as a mark of respect or familiarity, and it does not imply actual family ties. The term is closer in meaning to “bro” or “dude” in American slang. Commenters clarified that the term is used by many in the crypto community to address CZ, further emphasizing the misunderstanding.

The Trump memecoin dinner has sparked ethical and legal debates, with major foreign investors attending the event. Critics have pointed to potential conflicts of interest and foreign influence, with ethics watchdogs calling for investigations into the gathering. Lawmakers have raised concerns over violations of federal ethics rules and the Emoluments Clause.

As crypto intersects with politics, media attention around events like the Trump memecoin dinner is intensifying. Influencers are increasingly forced to defend themselves in real time on social platforms. The exchange between CZ and the New York Times reflects the rising tension between traditional media and crypto influencers. CZ’s response underscored the need for transparency, verified connections, and fair reporting in the ongoing tug-of-war between crypto’s decentralized nature and centralized narratives in mainstream media. As crypto’s role in global finance expands, interactions like this one will become more common and more contested, requiring industry leaders to navigate public scrutiny with increasing care.