Most Trump Ballroom Donors Got $279B in US Contracts: Report

A new report by watchdog group Public Citizen has revealed that most corporate donors contributing to Donald Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom project have received substantial government contracts in recent years.

According to the study, 16 of the 24 donors involved were awarded federal contracts worth a total of $279 billion over the past five years. Leading the list is defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp., which alone secured $191 billion during that period.

Other major donors include Apple Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., Comcast Corp., and Union Pacific, many of which currently have active or pending government matters such as mergers, enforcement actions, or policy interests.

Public Citizen Co-President Robert Weissman criticized the donations, calling them “an attempt to curry favor” with the Trump administration rather than acts of civic generosity. “These giant corporations aren’t funding the Trump ballroom debacle out of civic pride,” Weissman said in a statement.

The ballroom project, which involves a complete demolition of the White House’s East Wing, has stirred political and ethical controversy. Senate Democrats, led by Senator Adam Schiff, have demanded a full accounting of the donations, citing risks of “blatant corruption” and undue corporate influence.

Trump, however, has defended the project, stating the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom is essential for hosting state events, noting that “previous dinners were held in outdoor tents.” He emphasized that the funding comes from his “friends” rather than taxpayers.

Among other donors are prominent crypto firms like Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Tether Holdings, as well as billionaire Trump supporters Steve Schwarzman and Miriam Adelson. Donations are being funneled through the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit that partners with the National Park Service and isn’t obligated to publicly disclose donor identities.

Responding to criticism, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said detractors would “complain if taxpayers were footing the bill,” while Trump dismissed accusations of secrecy, insisting he has been transparent about the project.

The ballroom initiative has drawn scrutiny from preservationists, ethicists, and political opponents, and even became a punchline on Saturday Night Live last weekend. Despite the backlash, construction plans are reportedly moving forward, with completion expected in 2026.