The White House has revealed the list of donors backing President Trump’s extravagant $300 million project to build a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom. Slated to replace the historic East Wing, the project has stirred significant controversy, with critics questioning both the demolition of the East Wing and the influence of corporate and individual donors on the administration.
The donor list includes major tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, along with cryptocurrency firms like Coinbase and Ripple. High-profile defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Booz Allen Hamilton also appear, alongside influential individuals like billionaire Stephen A. Schwarzman and the Glazer family. The scale of corporate involvement has raised eyebrows, particularly among preservationists and lawmakers, given the lack of federal oversight during a government shutdown.
Critics argue that the influx of private donations—totalling millions of dollars—raises troubling questions about potential conflicts of interest. For instance, Google’s $22 million donation follows a legal settlement involving Trump’s suspended YouTube account. Meanwhile, José Fanjul, a Cuban-American sugar mogul, has been linked to previous policy decisions, including influencing soda ingredients.
Despite the administration’s claim that taxpayer dollars won’t be used, the project’s financing by corporate donors has fueled debate about the growing intersection of private interests and public institutions. As construction begins, the White House faces mounting criticism over the transparency and motivations behind the massive fundraiser.
The White House has revealed the list of donors backing President Trump’s extravagant $300 million project
