Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Apple and Nvidia Each Pledged $25 Million for Trump’s White House Ballroom
A donor list reported by The Washington Post says Apple and Nvidia each pledged $25 million toward President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom.
The list puts private donations at $333 million and names other major companies and wealthy donors.
The administration is collecting donations through a nonprofit, but the White House has not disclosed individual donation amounts.
Trump first said wealthy donors would pay for the project, then sought $1 billion from Congress for security features; a contractor estimate cited by one account put the project at about $600 million, while another account said Trump initially estimated $400 million.
The ballroom is planned to cover about 90,000 square feet and seat 1,000 guests, after the White House’s historic East Wing was demolished to make room.
The fundraising has raised concerns about transparency and donor influence, particularly because many listed donors or their companies have interests before the federal government.
Construction can continue while Trump challenges a court order, after the Supreme Court allowed it to proceed in August.
Apple and Nvidia each pledged $25 million for President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom, according to reports based on a donor list obtained by The Washington Post.
Private donations totaled either $333 million or more than $330 million, depending on the source.
The donations were made through a nonprofit trust, and the White House has not publicly disclosed individual donation amounts.
Critics have raised concerns about transparency, donor influence and the project’s funding.
The White House says the ballroom is needed for security and renovations.
- Who
- Apple and Nvidia each pledged $25 million; other donors include companies and wealthy individuals.
- What
- Private donors contributed to a planned ballroom at the White House.
- When
- The donations were reported on October 15, 2026; the list showed contributions as of late September.
- Where
- The White House in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- The administration says the project addresses renovation and national security needs. Critics question its transparency and the potential influence of donors.
Critics and watchdogs
Trump administration
Transparency and oversight
Critics and watchdogs
Critics say the fundraising and lack of public disclosure raise questions about transparency and ethics.
Trump administration
The administration has said it will not release donor information.
Purpose and funding
Critics and watchdogs
Critics question donor influence and the project’s handling; opponents also challenge the demolition of the East Wing.
Trump administration
The administration says the facility is needed for national security, and a White House spokesperson said critics would also complain if taxpayers paid for the renovations.
Trump said he and wealthy donors would pay for the estimated $400 million project.
Trump unsuccessfully sought $1 billion from Congress for an underground bunker and security features.
The Supreme Court allowed construction to continue while Trump challenged a judicial order that would halt much of the development.
The donor documents obtained by The Washington Post showed 67 contributions above $10,000.
Reports said Apple and Nvidia each pledged $25 million; sources reported private donations totaling $333 million or more than $330 million.
- Apple donation
- $25 million
- Nvidia donation
- $25 million
- Private donations
- $333 million, according to MacRumors and Daily Sabah; more than $330 million, according to CNBC
- Donor list
- 67 contributions above $10,000 as of late September
- Ballroom capacity
- Trump said it would seat 1,000 guests
- Ballroom size
- Trump said it would be around 90,000 square feet
3 sources
What people are saying
As an American company, our support for the United States is paramount, and independent of any business interests,
We were proud to be able to make a donation to a nonpartisan trust that serves all Americans and have said so publicly since the donation was made.
Any attempt to connect the two processes is wholly inaccurate.
represent a wide array of great American companies.