Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen Curry, and Scottie Pippen, among many else, have all dabbled in crypto. Few athletes can claim the President himself showed interest in their coin. In a first for an athlete-backed coin, Lamar Odom strutted into President Trump’s exclusive meme-coin gala. But remember, he has launched this coin recently and yet seems to move quickly in the ranks, so what is the coin?
On May 14, the two-time NBA champ unveiled his latest venture: a meme coin called $ODOM.
There were protestors outside who were not fully convinced about this initiative from President Trump. But Lamar Odom nonchalantly walked in, and that’s why he confidently wrote about the future of his coin.
If you have questions about why a meme coin is in today’s market, the 45-year-old made it clear about his intentions.
Before dipping his feet into the controversial meme coin venture, the ex-Lakers star already had enough controversies. His previous marriage to socialite Khloe Kardashian and the rumors about him cheating and substance-abuse issues caused problems in their marriage. Learning from his addiction is battle is apparently the reason why the 2x NBA champion is confident about his next venture.
Per the $ODOM whitepaper, 5% of transaction fees will fund d–g-rehab facilities, mental-health education, and other philanthropy. Those tokens remain locked until the fund hits a $10 billion threshold, ensuring long-term dedication to sobriety and self-discipline. To silence doubters, Odom shared a call with Trump Gala marketer Ben Johnson, who confirmed his invite after spotting Odom’s Instagram.
One criticism Odom has received is that by attending a Trump‐hosted crypto gala—an event marked by partisan controversy—Odom risks politicizing what he frames as a purely philanthropic venture. This might potentially alienate the very communities he aims to serve. Skeptics argue that meme coins, by nature, often prioritize hype over substantive impact. Also, by locking up funds in a “Public Welfare Fund” may delay or dilute actual charitable disbursements.
With its long-term locked philanthropy fund, deflationary mechanics, and high-profile endorsements, Lamar Odom aims to demonstrate that a meme coin can transcend speculation and deliver measurable social good.
