The list of donors for the White House ballroom has now been publicly released, shining light on the major companies and individuals funding the massive project spearheaded by the current administration. In late October 2025, the White House disclosed that the ballroom, estimated at a cost of approximately $300 million, will be built privately and not with taxpayer funds.
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What we know: Project scope and funding
- The ballroom is planned to replace the existing East Wing of the White House. Demolition of parts of the East Wing began in October 2025.
- Originally estimated at about $200 million, the projected cost has since grown to about $300 million.
- The construction is being funded entirely by private donations and the President personally — the administration states no taxpayer funds are being used for the ballroom itself.
- The official list of donors for the White House ballroom includes roughly 37 corporations and wealthy private individuals.
Key donors and corporate contributors
Here is an overview of major corporate and individual contributors to the project:
Corporate donors:
- Amazon, Apple Inc., Microsoft, Google LLC, Meta Platforms — all tech giants.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton — defense and government-contracting firms.
- Others: Coinbase Global (crypto), Caterpillar Inc. (industry), T-Mobile US, Inc., NextEra Energy, Inc., among others.
Individual/private-foundation donors:
- Adelson Family Foundation, Stephen A. Schwarzman (Blackstone CEO), Harold Hamm (oil tycoon), Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss (crypto entrepreneurs).
Why the donor list matters
The disclosure of donors for the White House ballroom raises a number of important issues:
- Access and influence concerns: Some of the donor companies hold large contracts or regulatory interests before the federal government.
- Transparency questions: While a donor list is now public, the White House has not specified exact amounts per contributor, which fuels questions about accountability.
- Historical precedent and preservation concerns: The demolition of the East Wing to make way for the new ballroom drew criticism from preservation groups who say such a major change to a historic building should involve public review.
- Public perception: Polls show a significant portion of Americans disapprove of the project’s scope and the manner of its execution.
Timeline and recent developments
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| July 31, 2025 | Project announced | White House states the ballroom (~90,000 sq ft) will be built at cost of ~$200 million and funded privately. |
| September 2025 | Demolition begins | Tree removal and site work start around the East Wing. |
| October 2025 | Cost revision & donor list | Cost estimate rises to ~$300 million; White House releases list of donors. |
| October 15, 2025 | Donor dinner hosted | The President hosts ~130 donors at the White House. |
What remains unclear
- Exact dollar amounts per donor: While major firms are named, how much each contributed is not publicly detailed.
- Benefits or recognition for donors: Reports suggest some donors may receive etchings of their names in the new ballroom.
- Timeline to completion: While the aim is to finish before the end of the President’s term in 2029, experts call that timeline “optimistic”.
What to watch next
- Further details of the donor contributions and any conditions attached.
- Oversight or ethics investigations regarding donor access and influence.
- Updates on construction milestones and design features of the new ballroom.
- Reactions from historic preservation bodies and public opinion trends.
In summary, the growing list and profile of donors for the White House ballroom illustrate how private funding is driving one of the most ambitious renovations of the White House complex in decades. While the project bypasses taxpayer funding, it has sparked broad debate about transparency, influence, and preservation in the nation’s most symbolic residence.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this major development—feel free to share your view or stay tuned for further updates.