See The 37 Contributors Behind the $300 Million Project
President Donald Trump says his $300 million White House ballroom will be paid for “100% by me and some friends of mine.”
The White House released a list of 37 donors, including crypto billionaires, charitable organizations, sports team owners, powerful financiers, tech and tobacco giants, media companies, longtime supporters of Republican causes and several of the president’s neighbors in Palm Beach, Florida.
It’s incomplete. Among others, the list doesn’t include Carrier Group, which offered to donate an HVAC system for the ballroom, and artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia, whose CEO, Jensen Huang, publicly discussed its donation.
The White House hasn’t said how much each donor is giving, and almost none was willing to divulge that. Very few commented on their contributions when contacted by The Associated Press.
A senior White House official said the list has grown since it was first released in October, but some companies don’t want to be publicly named until required to do so by financial disclosure regulations. No foreign individuals or entities were among the donors, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that haven’t been made public.
Here’s a look at the donors:
Tech giants (8)
Amazon
Background: Trump was once highly critical of founder Jeff Bezos, but tensions eased. Amazon donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, and its streaming service paid $40 million to license a Melania Trump documentary. AWS remains a major government contractor.
Apple
Background: CEO Tim Cook and Trump rebuilt their relationship. Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and recently pledged $600 billion in domestic investment. He gifted Trump a custom plaque earlier this year.
Google
Background: After years of antitrust clashes, Google donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. YouTube paid $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit with Trump, with $22 million directed to the Trust for the National Mall, which can support the ballroom project.
HP
Background: Donated to Trump’s inaugural fund. CEO Enrique Lores attended a White House roundtable in September.
Meta
Background: Once deeply at odds with Trump, Meta donated $1 million to his inauguration this time, and Zuckerberg attended.
Micron Technology
Background: Benefited from $6.1 billion in federal support under Biden, then pledged $200 billion in U.S. chip manufacturing under Trump.
Microsoft
Background: Donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. CEO Satya Nadella has met with Trump numerous times as Microsoft supports looser AI regulations.
Palantir Technologies
Background: Founded by Peter Thiel, a longtime Trump ally. Profits up sharply from federal defense contracts.
Crypto (5)
Coinbase
Founded by Brian Armstrong, a major pro-crypto political donor. Coinbase hired Trump’s co-campaign manager to its advisory council.
Ripple
SEC dropped a lawsuit accusing Ripple of illegal securities sales. Trump has eased crypto regulations during his second term.
Tether
Major stablecoin issuer. CEO Paolo Ardoino has visited Trump’s White House.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss
The Gemini founders each appear separately on the donor list. The SEC lawsuit against Gemini has been paused under Trump.
Energy and industrial (4)
Caterpillar
Historically donates more to Republicans. Has warned tariffs could raise costs.
NextEra Energy
The world’s largest electric utility holding company. Works with tech firms on data-center power agreements.
Paolo Tiramani
Industrial designer and major Trump donor. Runs BOXABL modular homes with his son.
Union Pacific
Trump supports its proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern. He recently fired a Democratic Surface Transportation Board member.
Philanthropy (3)
Adelson Family Foundation
Run by Miriam Adelson, a top Trump ally and GOP megadonor.
Betty Wold Johnson Foundation
Supports health, arts, culture and environment. Connected to Jets owner Woody Johnson, former Trump ambassador to the UK.
Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation
Supports healthcare, arts and community causes. Isaac Perlmutter is a former Marvel chairman and longtime Trump supporter.
Trump administration officials (3)
Benjamin Leon Jr.
Founder of Leon Medical Centers and Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Spain.
Kelly Loeffler & Jeffrey Sprecher
Loeffler heads Trump’s SBA. Sprecher chairs the NYSE. The couple faced scrutiny for 2020 stock trades following early COVID briefings.
Lutnick Family
Howard Lutnick, Trump’s commerce secretary, formerly led Cantor Fitzgerald.
Communications/entertainment (3)
Comcast
Often attacked by Trump. Owns NBC. Could pursue major media acquisitions requiring federal approval.
Hard Rock International
Operated by the Seminole Tribe. Owns casinos, including the former Trump Taj Mahal property.
T-Mobile
Connected through Trump Mobile licensing. Says donation is tied to historic preservation.
Big Tobacco (2)
Altria Group
Controls Philip Morris USA. Donated $50,000 to Trump’s inauguration.
Reynolds American
Lobbied Trump’s administration to halt a proposed menthol cigarette ban.
Defense/national security (2)
Booz Allen Hamilton
Major defense contractor. Paid $377 million to settle federal billing allegations in 2023.
Lockheed Martin
Massive defense firm. Issued a statement praising the opportunity to support the president’s project.
Individuals (7)
Stefan E. Brodie
Biotech entrepreneur. Convicted in 2002 of violating U.S. sanctions on Cuba.
Charles & Marissa Cascarilla
Paxos co-founder and philanthropists advocating for fintech deregulation.
J. Pepe & Emilia Fanjul
Longtime Republican megadonors with major sugar industry interests.
Edward & Shari Glazer
Owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and investors in Manchester United.
Harold Hamm
Oil billionaire who has praised Trump’s energy policies.
Stephen A. Schwarzman
Blackstone CEO, Palm Beach resident, longtime Trump ally.
Konstantin Sokolov
Russian-born investor who emigrated to the U.S. and donates to educational and charitable causes.
