Post by : Rameen Ariff

A new analysis from watchdog group Public Citizen finds that a majority of corporate contributors to former President Donald Trump’s proposed $300 million White House ballroom have been significant recipients of U.S. government contracts in recent years.

The report states that 16 out of the 24 identified donors were awarded federal contracts totaling $279 billion during the last five years. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin accounted for the largest share, receiving roughly $191 billion in that period.

Other corporations listed among donors include Apple Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., Comcast Corp., and Union Pacific — many of which currently face active or pending federal issues such as mergers, enforcement inquiries or policy concerns.

Public Citizen Co‑President Robert Weissman criticized the fundraising, saying the contributions appear aimed at gaining favor with the administration rather than reflecting civic generosity. "These large companies aren’t donating out of civic pride," he said in a statement.

The ballroom plan, which would involve substantial changes to the White House’s East Wing, has sparked political and ethical scrutiny. Senate Democrats led by Senator Adam Schiff have called for a transparent accounting of the donations, warning of the potential for "blatant corruption" and undue corporate influence.

Mr. Trump has defended the proposal, arguing the planned 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom is needed for state events and noting that previous dinners were sometimes held under outdoor tents. He has emphasized that private supporters, not taxpayers, are covering the cost.

The donor list reportedly includes crypto companies such as Coinbase, Ripple Labs and Tether Holdings, along with billionaire backers Steve Schwarzman and Miriam Adelson. Contributions are being directed through the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service that is not required to disclose its donors publicly.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the critics, saying detractors would "complain if taxpayers were footing the bill," while Trump maintained he has been open about the project.

The initiative has drawn objections from preservationists, ethicists and political opponents and even was satirized on Saturday Night Live. Despite the controversy, planners report construction moving ahead with an expected completion in 2026.

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