Fortune 500 companies, cryptocurrency firms, and individual billionaires are contributing significant sums to support Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. With donations reaching into seven figures, they aim to align themselves with the new administration, securing exclusive access to the president-elect and his team during the three-day celebrations.
According to an official packet sent to donors, those contributing large sums can enjoy benefits such as a candlelight dinner with Trump and his wife Melania, VIP access to a “Starlight Ball,” and private receptions with incoming Cabinet members. Among the major contributors, Amazon, Ford Motor Company, and hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin have committed $1 million each. Cryptocurrency firm Ripple is making waves with a $5 million contribution in its digital currency, XRP.
While the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol is taxpayer-funded, most other inaugural events rely on private funding. These events offer an opportunity for donors with vested interests to establish relationships with the new administration. The names of donors contributing $200 or more will be disclosed 90 days after the inauguration when the nonprofit committee handling the fundraising files a report with the Federal Election Commission.
“Money is a way of building relationships in Washington,” stated Michael Beckel, research director of Issue One, a bipartisan political reform organization. “Everyone is racing to make friends. The incoming president has significant power, and a hefty contribution to the inaugural committee is a way for megadonors and corporate interests to curry favor with the administration.”
Unlike political campaigns, there are no legal caps on the amount an inaugural committee can receive.
Corporate and Crypto Ambitions
Several companies see their donations as an investment in future policy changes. The cryptocurrency industry, for instance, is pushing for a regulatory framework to integrate it into the mainstream financial system. Trump’s appointments of cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair and venture capitalist David Sacks as the White House’s AI and crypto czar are seen as victories for the sector.
Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency trading platform, has donated $1 million to the inauguration. “Coinbase is committed to working with the administration and Congress to create regulatory clarity for crypto,” said Kara Calvert, the company’s vice president for U.S. policy. “It’s important to engage early to hit the ground running.” She added, “We’re eager to work with the most pro-crypto administration in U.S. history as we build the future of crypto in America.”
Robinhood, another financial platform that deals in crypto assets, has pledged $2 million. Mary Elizabeth Taylor, Robinhood’s vice president of global government and external affairs, described the donation as a celebration of “a new era of American innovation and sensible regulation.”
Fundraising Goals and Historical Context
The budget for Trump’s upcoming inauguration remains undisclosed. His first inauguration in 2017 raised nearly $107 million, a record at the time. That committee later faced legal scrutiny for financial mismanagement, resulting in a $750,000 settlement, though Trump’s organization denied wrongdoing.
By comparison, President Joe Biden’s pared-down 2021 inauguration amid the COVID-19 pandemic raised nearly $62 million. Barack Obama raised $53 million for his 2009 inauguration and $43 million for his 2013 event.
Trump’s 2017 inauguration saw 18 donations of $1 million or more, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks political donations. Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate, was the largest individual donor with a $5 million contribution. His widow, Dr. Miriam Adelson, is a finance co-chair for this year’s event. During the 2024 campaign, she donated $100 million to a pro-Trump super PAC.
Corporate Participation and Potential Risks
Corporate America’s participation in presidential inaugurations is not new. Many view it as a civic duty to celebrate the peaceful transfer of power. However, the political climate has shifted dramatically since Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in 2021, prompting some corporations to initially distance themselves from Trump.
The current scramble to fund Trump’s inauguration highlights a reversal of that trend. For many businesses, the stakes are high, particularly as Trump has pledged to undo Biden-era policies and overhaul U.S. trade practices.
Ford Motor Company and General Motors, which supported Trump’s 2017 inauguration, are contributing $1 million each this time—significantly more than their previous donations. Both automakers also plan to provide vehicles for the events.
This renewed financial support comes despite potential risks. Trump has threatened steep tariffs on imported goods, which could disrupt the global supply chains automakers rely on. He has also criticized the electric vehicle tax credit program, which offers up to $7,500 to consumers purchasing North American-assembled EVs. Although scrapping the program would require congressional action, the possibility has caused unease in the industry.
Other longstanding contributors to inaugural events, including AT&T and Bank of America, have also committed donations but have yet to disclose the amounts.
Exclusive Access for Big Donors
Trump’s inauguration offers unique opportunities for major donors to connect with the incoming administration. As he noted on social media, “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!”
The donor packet outlines various perks based on contribution levels. Those giving $250,000 or raising $500,000 receive two tickets to key events, including the “Make America Great Again Victory Rally,” a candlelight dinner with Trump and Melania, and the black-tie ball.
Donors contributing $1 million or raising $2 million enjoy additional benefits, such as six tickets to featured events and two seats at an “intimate dinner” with Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance.
“This is guaranteeing wealthy donors a level of access that most Americans could only dream of,” said Beckel. “Even if you are the most ardent supporter of a presidential candidate, the odds are not in your favor of being able to rub shoulders with a president or a high-ranking official.”
Balancing Celebrations and Influence
As Trump prepares for a second inauguration, the intersection of big money and political influence continues to raise questions. While supporters frame their contributions as part of celebrating democracy, critics view them as strategic moves to gain leverage with the new administration.
Whether these donations will translate into policy influence remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Trump’s inauguration has become a focal point for corporations and billionaires eager to secure their place in the evolving political landscape.