A newly surfaced internal spreadsheet reveals that 57 companies contributed $100,000 or more to construct a massive new ballroom at the White House. President Donald Trump, who initially pledged to cover part of the cost himself, does not appear on the donor list.
Corporate Titans and Seven-Figure Pledges
The financial backing for the White House construction project draws heavily from top technology, defense, and telecommunications firms. Documents obtained by the Washington Post and detailed in an IRS filing posted to the nonprofit’s website show that the organization collecting funds for the ballroom pulled in more than $320 million in 2025.
Among the top contributors, NVIDIA and Apple each committed $25 million to the project. The Adelson family and billionaire Dish Network co-founder and chairman Charles Ergen matched that figure, also giving $25 million each. Google contributed $22 million as part of a settlement tied to a legal dispute, while the Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation pledged more than $20 million.
Additional major contributors listed in the internal records include Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, RHI II LLC, and Palantir Technologies Inc. at $10 million each, alongside Comcast providing $7.5 million. Amazon, Cisco, Meta, and T-Mobile each contributed $5 million. Smaller or individual six-figure and million-dollar donations came from figures such as Kelly Loeffler and her husband ($5 million), Joseph Popolo Jr. and his wife ($1 million), and Brandon Lutnick, son of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ($2.5 million).
| Contributor | Organization / Affiliation | Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | Technology | $25 million |
| Apple | Technology | $25 million |
| Adelson Family | Political Donors | $25 million |
| Charles Ergen | Dish Network | $25 million |
| Technology | $22 million | |
| Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation | Philanthropy | $20.27 million |
| Lockheed Martin | Defense Contractor | $10 million |
| Comcast | Media | $7.5 million |
Federal Contracts and Conflict Questions
The overlap between major donors and federal business has drawn scrutiny from watchdog groups and legal experts. Approximately half of the total funds raised came from companies or executives of firms that have had federal government contracts in Trump’s second White House term.
In addition to corporate gifts, at least $77 million of the ballroom’s funding came from anonymous donors.
The White House defended both the project and its funding sources against public backlash. Administration spokesman Davis Ingle addressed critics in a statement to Reuters:.
The same critics who are alleging fake conflicts of interests, would also complain if American taxpayers were footing the bill for these long-overdue renovations.
Davis Ingle, White House Spokesman
Ingle added that the donors represent a wide array of great American companies.
As an American company, our support for the United States is paramount, and independent of any business interests.
NVIDIA Spokesperson
Construction Battles and Security Justifications
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom project has faced fierce legal and preservationist opposition from the start. Critics argue that Trump exceeded his authority by demolishing the historic East Wing, which previously housed the first lady’s offices and the White House movie theater. Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ordered construction to halt because Congress had not approved the project, though the judge permitted work on an underground bunker to proceed.
The legal battle eventually reached the nation’s highest court. The U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 in August to allow construction to continue while lower court challenges move forward. In a dissent against the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the project was likely unlawful.
As steel framing for the new structure continues to rise on the White House grounds, the administration has increasingly framed the facility around national security rather than entertainment. Trump maintains that the final venue will incorporate medical facilities, bomb shelters, and defensive systems against drones and missiles.