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Meet the 37 deep-pocket donors paying for Trump’s $300 million Ballroom extravaganza
The Economic Times·2025-11-13 12:28

Core Points - U.S. President Donald Trump is funding a $300 million White House ballroom with contributions from himself and 37 donors, including various sectors such as tech, crypto, and philanthropy [1][20] Tech Sector - Major tech companies have contributed, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others, with each donating $1 million to Trump's inauguration [3][4][8][20] - Amazon's streaming service paid $40 million for a Melania Trump documentary, and its cloud division is a significant government contractor [3] - Apple CEO Tim Cook has engaged with Trump on EU tax issues and presented him with a customized glass plaque [4] - Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has met Trump multiple times regarding AI regulations [8] Crypto Sector - Notable crypto donors include Coinbase, Ripple, Tether, and the Winklevoss twins, who have been active in supporting pro-Trump initiatives [10][11] - Trump has eased regulations on cryptocurrencies, which has positively impacted firms like Ripple [11] Energy & Industrial Sector - Companies like Caterpillar and NextEra Energy have contributed, with Caterpillar primarily supporting Republican initiatives [12] - NextEra Energy is the largest U.S. electric utility, aligning with Trump's vision for tech companies needing electricity for AI data centers [12] Philanthropy - The Adelson Family Foundation and other philanthropic organizations have made contributions, focusing on various causes including support for Israel and the arts [13] Defense & National Security - Defense contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have shown support for Trump's initiatives, with Booz Allen settling government lawsuits under the Biden administration [17] Individual Donors - Several individual donors, including biotech entrepreneur Stefan E. Brodie and sports team owners like Edward Glazer, have contributed to Trump's campaigns [18][19]