Who’s paying for Trump’s $250M White House ballroom renovation? Six big donors revealed

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced in July his plans to build a new White House ballroom, marking the first significant renovation to "the People’s House" in decades.

The POTUS will be spending $250 million on the project, which he says will ease the burden of hosting large events that currently have limited capacity due to space constraints.

According to the White House, the multimillion-dollar project is being funded entirely by private donors rather than taxpayers' money. Let us take a look at some of the donors contributing to the construction of the new White House ballroom. 

1. Lockheed Martin 

Aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin has been mentioned as one of the project’s largest donors. An insider told CBS News that the company has pledged more than $10 million for the ballroom’s renovations.

The company said in a statement to The Hill, "Lockheed Martin is grateful for the opportunity to help bring the President’s vision to reality and make this addition to the People’s House, a powerful symbol of the American ideals we work to defend every day." 

2. Booz Allen Hamilton

Management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton also plans to contribute funding to President Donald Trump’s new White House ballroom project. 

According to a guest list obtained by The Hill, representatives from the firm attended a dinner hosted exclusively for ballroom donors at the White House last week.

3. Blackstone CEO Stephen A Schwarzman 

Blackstone CEO Stephen A Schwarzman is expected to contribute to the ballroom’s renovation, which the White House has said will be separate from the main building. The CEO also attended a White House dinner for donors last week.

4. YouTube 

YouTube agreed to pay President Donald Trump $24.5 million last month, concluding a four-year legal battle with the POTUS over the removal of his account following the 2021 Capitol riot.

According to a settlement filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, $22 million of the funds awarded to Trump will be used to support the development of the White House ballroom project.

5. Google

Multinational technology corporation Google has also committed to funding at least $5 million for the White House ballroom project. CBS News reported that the company has been provided with a pledge agreement for "The Donald J Trump Ballroom at the White House."

Like others, Google executives were seen at last week’s White House dinner. Companies have been asked to contribute a lump sum or make payments in up to three installments, to be completed by 2027, per the outlet. 

6. Alphabet

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has also been listed as a donor for the mega project. However, the amount of its contribution has not yet been disclosed.

Meanwhile, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai spoke directly with the POTUS during a White House dinner for tech executives in September, according to White House pool reports.

President Trump congratulated him on securing a favorable ruling after the Justice Department decided against imposing a market cap following allegations that the holding company was engaged in monopolistic practices.  

Other potential donors

Apart from the above-mentioned names, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Apple, Coinbase, Comcast, T-Mobile, the Adelson Family Foundation, and crypto investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss are also listed as potential donors for the project.

Additionally, Carrier Global Corp has offered to provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for the new ballroom.

"Carrier is honored to provide the new iconic ballroom at the White House with a world-class, energy-efficient HVAC system, bringing comfort to distinguished guests and dignitaries in this historic setting for years to come," the company said in a statement to a news agency.  

Trump to use some of his personal wealth

Donald Trump is set to use a portion of his personal wealth, derived from real estate and other ventures valued at $7.1 billion, to help finance the new space.

"For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway, with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!" the POTUS wrote on Truth Social on Monday, October 20.

He added, "The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!"