It wasn’t all red carpets and champagne for former NBA star Lamar Odom at a recent gala hosted by Donald Trump.
As he approached security outside the high-profile event, Odom faced a wave of heckling from protesters. “Shame on you, Lamar!” and “You’re better than this!” echoed from the sidewalk, catching the former Laker off guard as he made his way inside.
Odom, who played a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. He actually attended the Trump event to promote his new meme coin, $ODOM. The crypto push stirred many reactions, some cheering him on, others questioning his choices.
For Odom, the noise outside only fueled his message.
Odom Pushes $ODOM Amid Criticism
Odom later posted a video on X, showing the moment he walked through security. In a caption filled with energy, he framed the protest as a sign of success. “I’m fired up,” he wrote. “Think about it—what meme coin has ever done this?”
He added that he won’t unlock any of his personal allocation until $ODOM reaches a $15 billion market cap. “This is the most authentic soulful experience in crypto history,” he declared.
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I’m just about to pass through security and officially walk into the Trump Gala.
— LAMAR ODOM (@LamarOdom) May 22, 2025
Honestly… I’m fired up.
Think about it—what meme coin has ever done this?$ODOM isn’t just a token, it’s taking the stage at a presidential gala tonight!
By the way, Bitcoin is smashing through… pic.twitter.com/7eI5SezPLh
The move has drawn attention far beyond crypto circles. Critics say his appearance alongside Trump clashes with the values many fans associate with him. Among the most outspoken voices is NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, who previously urged Odom on Instagram to reconsider the alliance.
“Bro! Don’t do it,” Owens wrote. “Ask yourself, respectfully, would Kobe do something like this?”
Odom, 44, has lived a high-profile life on and off the court. After being drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 1999, he played 14 seasons in the NBA, including his peak years with the Lakers. Outside basketball, his marriage to Khloe Kardashian and subsequent reality TV appearances made him a household name.
Now, as he dives into the volatile world of cryptocurrency, Odom is making headlines for reasons far removed from basketball. Whether $ODOM climbs or crashes, his choice to spotlight the token on a political stage already sparks strong reactions- and not everyone’s cheering.
Also Read: Florida Gators Announce Their Final Decision On Visiting Donald Trump’s White House
