Nvidia and Apple have each committed $25 million toward US President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom, according to The Washington Post. The newspaper reported that private donors have pledged a total of $333 million for the project. Reuters said it has not independently verified the report.
Other reported donors include the Adelson family, longtime financial supporters of Trump and the Republican Party, and Charles Ergen, co-founder and chairman of Dish Network. Each reportedly pledged $25 million. The Washington Post also reported that Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, and Palantir Technologies each donated $10 million.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the administration would not disclose information about the donors. Nvidia said it was proud to contribute to a nonpartisan trust serving Americans, adding that its support for the United States was independent of its business interests. Apple declined to comment.
The project’s funding arrangements and limited disclosure of donor identities have raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Eric Petry of the Brennan Center for Justice said the lack of public information makes it difficult to determine whether companies with business before the government are seeking access or favors through their contributions.
The ballroom is estimated to cost $400 million. Trump initially said he and wealthy donors would cover the expense, but later sought $1 billion from Congress for an underground bunker and additional security features. That request was unsuccessful.
The planned 90,000-square-foot facility is expected to accommodate 1,000 guests and include bomb shelters, medical facilities, and defenses against drones and missiles. The project has also faced criticism over the demolition of the White House’s historic East Wing and legal questions surrounding the construction. In August, the US Supreme Court allowed work to continue temporarily while the broader legal dispute proceeds.
