President Donald Trump’s fundraising efforts for the White House ballroom and related legacy projects have generated more than $300 million, with a small group of major donors accounting for over half of the total, according to a recent filing from the Trust for the National Mall. The nonprofit, which manages donations for several high-profile White House initiatives, reported receiving $320 million in contributions and grants in 2025, a dramatic increase from less than $10 million the previous year.
The filing reveals that ten donors each contributed between $10 million and $25 million, although their identities were not disclosed. Three donors contributed $25 million apiece. While the documents do not detail the exact allocation of funds to individual projects, the trust reported $210 million in expenses last year, primarily directed toward maintenance and capital improvements associated with the White House and surrounding areas.
Some corporate donors have been publicly identified in previous reports. Apple is said to have contributed around $25 million to the ballroom project, while Microsoft gave approximately $10 million. Alphabet subsidiary YouTube provided $22 million as part of a settlement related to a 2021 civil lawsuit initiated by Trump against the company. Another significant contribution came from the Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation, which donated $20.3 million specifically earmarked for the White House ballroom, according to its own tax records.
The Trust for the National Mall, which historically has managed funds for projects such as the triumphal arch and the Rose Garden, did not respond to requests for comment, nor did White House representatives.
Trump has prioritized beautifying Washington during his second term, actively encouraging corporate donors and philanthropists to provide large financial support. Reports indicate that his chief fundraiser, Meredith O’Rourke, frequently contacts major companies with targeted requests that can reach eight-figure amounts.
Unlike political campaigns, there are no legal limits on how much money a sitting president can raise for affiliated nonprofits, and disclosure of donor identities is not mandatory. This has sparked concern among congressional Democrats, who question whether the fundraising from companies with ongoing business before the administration poses potential conflicts of interest.
In response to criticism, a spokeswoman for Trump has defended his fundraising record, calling him “the most successful fundraiser in modern political history” and denying that his efforts reflect undue influence.
The newly available financial disclosures also show some of the trust’s expenditures, including payments exceeding $800,000 to Florida Architectural Precast, a firm involved in construction and related services for the projects. However, detailed breakdowns of spending on specific legacy initiatives remain undisclosed.