Exclusive: Names Revealed of 37 Donors Funding Trump‘s $300 Million White house Ballroom Expansion
A group of 37 individuals and couples have collectively contributed to the $300 million fundraising effort for a planned expansion of the White House‘s East Room, intended to create a grand ballroom. The donors, a mix of business leaders, investors, and long-time Republican supporters, represent a broad spectrum of industries, from cryptocurrency and energy to real estate and agriculture. Their contributions come as former President Donald Trump prepares to possibly return to office, raising questions about access and influence.
The fundraising initiative, largely spearheaded through Trump’s Save America political action committee, aims to transform the historic East Room into a space capable of hosting larger-scale events. while White House renovations are not uncommon, the scale of this project and its reliance on private donations are drawing scrutiny from government watchdogs and ethics experts. The influx of funds from these donors could potentially shape policy decisions and grant privileged access to the incoming governance.
Among the key donors is venture capitalist Bill Foley, who contributed $50 million. He previously served as an ambassador to Ireland under Trump. Florida real estate developer Don Peebles donated $25 million, while energy executive Harold Hamm and his wife Sue Ann contributed $20 million.
Several figures from the tech and finance worlds are also prominent contributors. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, cofounders of the cryptocurrency platform Gemini, are both involved, advocating for clearer crypto laws as consistent GOP donors. Kelly Loeffler,former U.S. Senator from Georgia, and her husband Jeff Sprecher, founder and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange (owner of the New York Stock Exchange), donated $5 million to Trump’s 2024 election efforts and are expected to be considered for a cabinet position, specifically Agricultural Secretary.
Other notable donors include:
* Robert and Fredrika Buffett: Descendants of the famed investor warren Buffett.
* Geoffrey Palmer: A Los Angeles real estate developer.
* Stephen Schwarzman: CEO of Blackstone, a private equity firm.
* Stanley Druckenmiller: A hedge fund manager.
* Ken Griffin: Founder of Citadel,a financial services firm.
* Richard LeFrak: A New York real estate developer.
* John Paulson: A hedge fund manager.
* Thomas Peterffy: Founder of Interactive Brokers.
* Paul Singer: Founder of Elliott Management.
* Larry Ellison: co-founder of Oracle.
* Miriam Adelson: Widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
* Bernie Marcus: Co-founder of Home Depot.
* Constance Adler: A New York socialite and philanthropist.
* Howard Lutnick: Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald.
* Andrew Farkas: Chairman and CEO of Island Capital Group.
* Vincent Viola: Owner of the Florida Panthers NHL team.
* David Rubenstein: Co-founder of The Carlyle Group.
* Ronald Perelman: A businessman and investor.
* Michael Dell: Founder of Dell Technologies.
* Charles Schwab: Founder of Charles Schwab Corporation.
* John Catsimatidis: A New York businessman.
* James Dinan: Founder of York Capital Management.
* Daniel Dwores: A financial executive.
* Scott Minerd: Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Guggenheim Partners.
* Konstantin Sokolov: A Russian-born American investor in infrastructure and energy.
* Paolo Tiramani: Founder of 3D Modular Systems, a Florida-based construction-tech entrepreneur.
* J. Pepe and Emilia Fanjul: Members of the Florida sugar baron family, who hosted a Trump fundraiser at their Palm Beach estate.
the contributions are raising concerns about potential quid pro quo arrangements and the blurring of lines between private interests and public service. As Trump prepares for a potential second term, the influence of these donors will likely be closely watched by both the public and policymakers.
