Business Insider·2025-10-25 20:59Core Points - The demolition of the East Wing of the White House for a new ballroom project has raised concerns about public trust and transparency in government actions [1][3][14] - The project, estimated to cost over $300 million, is funded by corporate donations from major companies, including Amazon, Apple, and Google [10][11] - Mississippi Rep. Bennie G. Thompson is demanding accountability from the corporations involved, requesting details about their donations and any potential quid pro quo arrangements [2][4][5] Corporate Involvement - Over 20 corporations have been asked to disclose the amounts of their donations and whether they received any promises in return [2][4] - Notable contributors include Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta, with Meta and Amazon each contributing $1 million to Trump's 2024 inauguration fund [10] - Alphabet, YouTube's parent company, contributed over $20 million to the ballroom project as part of a legal settlement related to Trump's account suspension [11] Government and Regulatory Concerns - The Trump administration is accused of bypassing the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which typically requires public input on renovation plans [3][4] - Thompson emphasized the need for transparency in funding projects related to the White House, a symbol of democracy [14] - Construction began without the usual public forums or consultations, raising questions about the integrity of the process [3][4]