At Inaugural Balls, Trump's Top Supporters Revel from Crypto to "MAHA"
The trendiest gatherings in the area honored cryptocurrency, Florida, and the Black voters who played a crucial role in Trump's return to the White House.
TroibNews 
During President Donald Trump's inauguration speech on Monday, he outlined an extensive list of executive actions. Yet, supporters under the MAGA banner came to celebrate.
Throughout the city over the weekend, the excitement was palpable.
From a cryptocurrency bash to a lively Turning Point “YMCA” celebration, and events honoring Black conservatives, many of MAGA's newest followers braved the snow to mark Trump’s return to power in Washington.
Here are highlights from some of the most sought-after events in the capital.
**The Event: Republican Party of Florida Inauguration Gala**
**The Day: Saturday, Jan. 18**
**Spotted:** Soon-to-be-Sen. Ashley Moody, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. Byron Donalds, Sen. Rick Scott, Florida House Speaker Danny Perez, state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, state Rep. Alex Rizo, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Florida emergency management director Kevin Guthrie
Florida Republicans made a significant splash at the inauguration, showcasing their renewed influence in Washington. On Saturday night, the Marriott Marquis atrium hosted 700 lawmakers, political aspirants, lobbyists, and grassroots supporters.
As a cover band’s music echoed throughout the venue, guests mingled near a Trump cutout typical of his campaign events and took photos under a colorful balloon arch. The atmosphere was festive, even featuring a conga line set to Gloria Estefan’s iconic 1985 hit. Attendees lined up to snap pictures with just-reelected Sen. Rick Scott, who previously secured his state victory by the narrowest of margins.
“President-elect Trump has mined the bench for talent in Florida,” said state Rep. Dean Black, who spearheaded the state GOP’s initiative to flip blue counties. “And really, this is a turning point in our history. We're going to make America great again by making America Florida.”
— KIMBERLY LEONARD
Evan Power, chair of the Republican Party of Florida, shared that the party had raised $102 million in the past year, enabling them to maintain a supermajority in the legislature, defeat ballot amendments on pot and abortion, and gain a considerable advantage in voter registrations. The weekend's events alone garnered approximately $1.9 million.
“Florida leads the way,” he stated. “Florida has become the beacon of hope for the rest of the country."
**The Event: Turning Point Inaugural Eve Ball**
**The Day: Sunday, Jan. 19**
**Spotted:** Kash Patel, Alina Habba, Sergio Gor, Sebastian Gorka, Donald Trump Jr., Judge Jeanine Pirro, Matt Walsh, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Conor McGregor, Colby Covington, Zachary Levi, Amber Rose
Turning Point’s upscale event at the Salamander Hotel in southwest Washington was the ideal spot for MAGA’s elite on Sunday night, with an abundant spread of half-shell oysters and champagne.
While high-profile figures such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Miriam Adelson attended a more exclusive dinner at the National Building Museum—an event where Trump himself was present—state and local GOP officials, lower-level party staff, and enthusiastic MAGA supporters gathered for a festive night. Many remarked that the event felt oversold.
The popularity of the $15,000-a-head gala highlighted the stratified nature of Trump’s base, especially under Trump 2.0, where well-heeled Wall Street and tech executives seemed eager to connect with the former president.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of dining on pasta and shrimp, dancing to performances by Kid Rock and the Village People, and a memorable surprise appearance by Vice President JD Vance shortly before midnight.
“They don’t tell you when you run for vice president that you get brought on stage with the Village People,” Vance joked as he joined in the dancing.
The event included several Cabinet officials and senior White House staff, marking a shift toward a more organized and sophisticated movement than during Trump's first term.
“When we came in we were innocent, we were babies,” Trump Jr. remarked from the stage, adding that their campaign could not have been involved in collusion with Russia. “If you were in the campaign in 2016, we couldn’t collude to order a cheeseburger.”
–Megan Messerly
**The Event: Legacy of Freedom Ball**
**The Day: Sunday, Jan. 19**
**Spotted:** Sen. Tim Scott, Reps. Byron Donalds and Burgess Owens, former ESPN host Sage Steele, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears
A black-tie soiree hosted by Black conservatives who aided Trump’s return to the White House took place on Saturday, reflecting a sense of pride in their growing prominence within conservative politics.
While VIPs savored a lavish dinner featuring tomahawk steak and raw oysters, a DJ set the mood with classic tracks, including Rick James’ “Bustin’ Out”—symbolic of how many Black Republicans view their moment and rising influence.
“We’re really a part of something that is historic,” Rep. Byron Donalds expressed, standing alongside his sons in tuxedos. “It really defied all political reality [and] we started to impact a lot of people in this country who aren’t traditionally Republican.”
Trump’s increasing appeal among Black voters, particularly Black men, bolstered his victory. Although he was absent from the event, he had previously highlighted Black Conservative Federation gatherings.
The Sunday celebration, called the Legacy of Freedom Ball, took place at Arena Stage, the first racially integrated theater in Washington, D.C.
Guests included Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Burgess Owens, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, and Alice Marie Johnson, a criminal reform advocate who once received a full pardon from Trump during his first term.
Owens, a former NFL defensive back, was busy taking photos with attendees eager to capture moments holding his Super Bowl ring from the Oakland Raiders in 1981.
— Brakkton Booker
**The Event: MAGA MAHA Crypto Inaugural Ball**
**The Day: Sunday, January 19**
**Spotted:** Michael Flynn, Angela Stanton King, James McCoy Taylor, Wendy Silvers, Brock Pierce, Jorge Fajardo, Stephen Tenner, Chris Cox, Kyle Kemper, Andre Soriano, Sean Reyes, Doug Mastriano, Evelio Medina
Crypto fans and loyal MAGA supporters came together on Sunday night at the MGM Grand’s second-floor ballroom to commemorate Trump’s ascent back to the White House.
With a $500 minimum ticket price—modest for the weekend's events—the MAGA MAHA Crypto Ball was hosted by Evelio Medina, CEO of the Miami Brickell Chamber of Commerce, attracting a diverse crowd for a buffet dinner and open bar. Though some donned glittery ball gowns, many attendees showcased their MAGA pride through custom apparel designed by co-host Andre Soriano. Discussions ranged from themes of unity to the future of digital currency and faith.
“It's wonderful to surround myself with people who know about what this is,” reflected Jesse Brady, 27, from Nashville. “And a place with a lot of faith, and people mention God a lot. And I'm a big believer.”
For others, the gathering—comprised of 600 people—was a celebration of MAGA’s reemergence in Washington. Performer Stephen Tenner entertained guests while carrying his 16-month-old Chihuahua, Bambi, when he wasn’t on stage. Other performers included James McCoy Taylor, who sang a Trump-themed number titled “Great Again.”
The event did encounter some obstacles when organizers announced it had reached capacity and requested donations to open an adjoining ballroom. After raising $10,000, only a portion of additional guests could be accommodated initially as they trickled in over time.
Although it remained unclear if the event was sold out, Medina cited safety and logistical issues as reasons for the limited space.
“You see,” Medina said, gesturing to guests still dancing as the night came to a close, “it’s 11 p.m., and we have to leave—but they don’t want to.”
— Bethany Irvine
**The Event: Party to Honor Gen Z Trump Supporters and Social Media Allies**
**The Day: Sunday, Jan. 19**
**Spotted:** Tok’s lobbyist Mac Abrams, Trump campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz, Republican activist Scott Presler, former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, boxer Scott McGregor
After briefly shutting down, TikTok launched an inaugural weekend goodwill tour on Sunday, honoring Gen Z Trump supporters and key social media figures.
The company contributed $50,000 to this party, hoping to align with the individual they believe can negotiate TikTok’s future in America.
“If anyone can negotiate a deal that keeps TikTok alive while simultaneously protecting the data of the American people, it’s President Trump,” Bruesewitz asserted during the event.
Supporting sponsors included Kalshi, where Donald Trump Jr. recently became a strategic adviser, and the American Conservation Coalition. The previous night, TikTok hosted Trump-aligned influencers and other guests for a Washington Capitals hockey game from a suite at Capital One Arena.
As the Supreme Court upheld a law forcing TikTok to sell or ban its service, the influencers reflected on the rapid fluctuations in the atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t be here without this,” said a TikTok user known as Chelly, who performs impressions of Vivek Ramaswamy on the platform. “All of the sudden the [app] shut down and then all of the sudden it came back all in one weekend. It feels like a toxic ex.”
— Sophia Cai
**Reporting from Dasha Burns.**
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Throughout the city over the weekend, the excitement was palpable.
From a cryptocurrency bash to a lively Turning Point “YMCA” celebration, and events honoring Black conservatives, many of MAGA's newest followers braved the snow to mark Trump’s return to power in Washington.
Here are highlights from some of the most sought-after events in the capital.
**The Event: Republican Party of Florida Inauguration Gala**
**The Day: Saturday, Jan. 18**
**Spotted:** Soon-to-be-Sen. Ashley Moody, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. Byron Donalds, Sen. Rick Scott, Florida House Speaker Danny Perez, state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, state Rep. Alex Rizo, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Florida emergency management director Kevin Guthrie
Florida Republicans made a significant splash at the inauguration, showcasing their renewed influence in Washington. On Saturday night, the Marriott Marquis atrium hosted 700 lawmakers, political aspirants, lobbyists, and grassroots supporters.
As a cover band’s music echoed throughout the venue, guests mingled near a Trump cutout typical of his campaign events and took photos under a colorful balloon arch. The atmosphere was festive, even featuring a conga line set to Gloria Estefan’s iconic 1985 hit. Attendees lined up to snap pictures with just-reelected Sen. Rick Scott, who previously secured his state victory by the narrowest of margins.
“President-elect Trump has mined the bench for talent in Florida,” said state Rep. Dean Black, who spearheaded the state GOP’s initiative to flip blue counties. “And really, this is a turning point in our history. We're going to make America great again by making America Florida.”
— KIMBERLY LEONARD
Evan Power, chair of the Republican Party of Florida, shared that the party had raised $102 million in the past year, enabling them to maintain a supermajority in the legislature, defeat ballot amendments on pot and abortion, and gain a considerable advantage in voter registrations. The weekend's events alone garnered approximately $1.9 million.
“Florida leads the way,” he stated. “Florida has become the beacon of hope for the rest of the country."
**The Event: Turning Point Inaugural Eve Ball**
**The Day: Sunday, Jan. 19**
**Spotted:** Kash Patel, Alina Habba, Sergio Gor, Sebastian Gorka, Donald Trump Jr., Judge Jeanine Pirro, Matt Walsh, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Conor McGregor, Colby Covington, Zachary Levi, Amber Rose
Turning Point’s upscale event at the Salamander Hotel in southwest Washington was the ideal spot for MAGA’s elite on Sunday night, with an abundant spread of half-shell oysters and champagne.
While high-profile figures such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Miriam Adelson attended a more exclusive dinner at the National Building Museum—an event where Trump himself was present—state and local GOP officials, lower-level party staff, and enthusiastic MAGA supporters gathered for a festive night. Many remarked that the event felt oversold.
The popularity of the $15,000-a-head gala highlighted the stratified nature of Trump’s base, especially under Trump 2.0, where well-heeled Wall Street and tech executives seemed eager to connect with the former president.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of dining on pasta and shrimp, dancing to performances by Kid Rock and the Village People, and a memorable surprise appearance by Vice President JD Vance shortly before midnight.
“They don’t tell you when you run for vice president that you get brought on stage with the Village People,” Vance joked as he joined in the dancing.
The event included several Cabinet officials and senior White House staff, marking a shift toward a more organized and sophisticated movement than during Trump's first term.
“When we came in we were innocent, we were babies,” Trump Jr. remarked from the stage, adding that their campaign could not have been involved in collusion with Russia. “If you were in the campaign in 2016, we couldn’t collude to order a cheeseburger.”
–Megan Messerly
**The Event: Legacy of Freedom Ball**
**The Day: Sunday, Jan. 19**
**Spotted:** Sen. Tim Scott, Reps. Byron Donalds and Burgess Owens, former ESPN host Sage Steele, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears
A black-tie soiree hosted by Black conservatives who aided Trump’s return to the White House took place on Saturday, reflecting a sense of pride in their growing prominence within conservative politics.
While VIPs savored a lavish dinner featuring tomahawk steak and raw oysters, a DJ set the mood with classic tracks, including Rick James’ “Bustin’ Out”—symbolic of how many Black Republicans view their moment and rising influence.
“We’re really a part of something that is historic,” Rep. Byron Donalds expressed, standing alongside his sons in tuxedos. “It really defied all political reality [and] we started to impact a lot of people in this country who aren’t traditionally Republican.”
Trump’s increasing appeal among Black voters, particularly Black men, bolstered his victory. Although he was absent from the event, he had previously highlighted Black Conservative Federation gatherings.
The Sunday celebration, called the Legacy of Freedom Ball, took place at Arena Stage, the first racially integrated theater in Washington, D.C.
Guests included Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Burgess Owens, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, and Alice Marie Johnson, a criminal reform advocate who once received a full pardon from Trump during his first term.
Owens, a former NFL defensive back, was busy taking photos with attendees eager to capture moments holding his Super Bowl ring from the Oakland Raiders in 1981.
— Brakkton Booker
**The Event: MAGA MAHA Crypto Inaugural Ball**
**The Day: Sunday, January 19**
**Spotted:** Michael Flynn, Angela Stanton King, James McCoy Taylor, Wendy Silvers, Brock Pierce, Jorge Fajardo, Stephen Tenner, Chris Cox, Kyle Kemper, Andre Soriano, Sean Reyes, Doug Mastriano, Evelio Medina
Crypto fans and loyal MAGA supporters came together on Sunday night at the MGM Grand’s second-floor ballroom to commemorate Trump’s ascent back to the White House.
With a $500 minimum ticket price—modest for the weekend's events—the MAGA MAHA Crypto Ball was hosted by Evelio Medina, CEO of the Miami Brickell Chamber of Commerce, attracting a diverse crowd for a buffet dinner and open bar. Though some donned glittery ball gowns, many attendees showcased their MAGA pride through custom apparel designed by co-host Andre Soriano. Discussions ranged from themes of unity to the future of digital currency and faith.
“It's wonderful to surround myself with people who know about what this is,” reflected Jesse Brady, 27, from Nashville. “And a place with a lot of faith, and people mention God a lot. And I'm a big believer.”
For others, the gathering—comprised of 600 people—was a celebration of MAGA’s reemergence in Washington. Performer Stephen Tenner entertained guests while carrying his 16-month-old Chihuahua, Bambi, when he wasn’t on stage. Other performers included James McCoy Taylor, who sang a Trump-themed number titled “Great Again.”
The event did encounter some obstacles when organizers announced it had reached capacity and requested donations to open an adjoining ballroom. After raising $10,000, only a portion of additional guests could be accommodated initially as they trickled in over time.
Although it remained unclear if the event was sold out, Medina cited safety and logistical issues as reasons for the limited space.
“You see,” Medina said, gesturing to guests still dancing as the night came to a close, “it’s 11 p.m., and we have to leave—but they don’t want to.”
— Bethany Irvine
**The Event: Party to Honor Gen Z Trump Supporters and Social Media Allies**
**The Day: Sunday, Jan. 19**
**Spotted:** Tok’s lobbyist Mac Abrams, Trump campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz, Republican activist Scott Presler, former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, boxer Scott McGregor
After briefly shutting down, TikTok launched an inaugural weekend goodwill tour on Sunday, honoring Gen Z Trump supporters and key social media figures.
The company contributed $50,000 to this party, hoping to align with the individual they believe can negotiate TikTok’s future in America.
“If anyone can negotiate a deal that keeps TikTok alive while simultaneously protecting the data of the American people, it’s President Trump,” Bruesewitz asserted during the event.
Supporting sponsors included Kalshi, where Donald Trump Jr. recently became a strategic adviser, and the American Conservation Coalition. The previous night, TikTok hosted Trump-aligned influencers and other guests for a Washington Capitals hockey game from a suite at Capital One Arena.
As the Supreme Court upheld a law forcing TikTok to sell or ban its service, the influencers reflected on the rapid fluctuations in the atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t be here without this,” said a TikTok user known as Chelly, who performs impressions of Vivek Ramaswamy on the platform. “All of the sudden the [app] shut down and then all of the sudden it came back all in one weekend. It feels like a toxic ex.”
— Sophia Cai
**Reporting from Dasha Burns.**
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
