Apple and Nvidia each gave $25 million to President Trump’s White House ballroom project – making them two of the largest donors in a huge fundraising marketing campaign that has largely been stored under wraps, according to a report.
Secretive paperwork obtained by the Washington Post confirmed the two tech giants each contributed $25 million, the highest particular person donation quantity.
The billionaire Adelson household, recognized for their hospitality holdings, and Charles Ergen, co-founder and chairman of Dish Network, also gave $25 million each to the project.
President Trump’s White House ballroom project has raised $333 million from non-public donors, according to the report. Bloomberg via Getty Images
It raised a complete of $333 million from non-public donors, including at least $77 million from donors who requested anonymity, according to further paperwork.
The overwhelming majority of the rich people and firms have pursuits subject to the federal authorities, raising issues about conflicts of curiosity, the Thursday report said.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed moral issues, saying the White House does not disclose personal info about non-public donations made to nonprofits.
“The same critics who are alleging fake conflicts of interests, would also complain if American taxpayers were footing the bill for these long-overdue renovations,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle advised The Post.
“The donors for the White House ballroom project represent a wide array of great American companies and generous individuals, all of whom are contributing to make the People’s House better for generations to come.”
Apple did not immediately reply to The Post’s request for remark.
A spokesperson for Nvidia also defended the donation, telling The Post: “As an American company, our support for the United States is paramount, and independent of any business interests. We were proud to be able to make a donation to a nonpartisan trust that serves all Americans and have said so publicly since the donation was made.”
The Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation – based by Ike Perlmutter, former CEO of Marvel Entertainment, and his spouse – gave $20.27 million to the project, according to the report.
Apple Chairman Tim Cook (above) personally donated to President Trump’s inaugural fund. REUTERS
Comcast, which was already a recognized donor, gave $7.5 million; Microsoft, Palantir and Lockheed Martin each donated $10 million; and Amazon, T-Mobile and Meta each gave $5 million, per the report.
Alphabet – which owns Google and YouTube – earlier agreed to pay $22 million to settle the president’s lawsuit alleging censorship after he was suspended from the video-sharing platform, and those funds have been directed toward the project, according to the paperwork.
In January 2025, Apple Chairman Tim Cook – then the company’s CEO – announced a personal $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund.
He later gifted Trump a customized plaque with a pure gold base during a press convention about Apple’s $600 billion pledge toward US jobs and manufacturing.
In October 2025, Nvidia emerged as a high donor to the ballroom project – roughly three months before it struck a deal with the White House to promote its AI chips to China, despite national security issues.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (above) announced the company was contributing to the ballroom project. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang advised reporters at the time that the company was contributing “in a small way.” The company reportedly requested its $25 million donation be stored nameless.
Trump is not on the listing of contributors. The president beforehand said he would help fund the project.
Ingle, the White House spokesman, took purpose at the Washington Post for reporting on leaked paperwork, saying:“We will relentlessly pursue those responsible for this cowardly leak while continuing to protect all those who give.”
“Instead, the Washington Post traffics in leaks from rogue employees, risking the reputation of a completely apolitical organization, in an effort to violate the privacy and free speech rights of American patriots who are generously donating their resources to Make America Great Again. It is shameful.”
In August, the Supreme Court ruled that work could proceed on the ballroom project for now as the president challenges a judicial order that would halt construction.
Trump has argued the deliberate ballroom – which will seat 1,000 visitors and cowl practically 90,000 sq. ft – is needed for national security functions, noting the project consists of bomb shelters, medical amenities, sniper nests and a drone port.
