Big Tech and other publicly traded companies are helping to finance the $300 million White House ballroom planned by President Donald Trump.
The White House East Wing has been demolished to make room for the 90,000 square foot ballroom, sparking public anger after Trump promised in July that the building would not be impacted.
Trump has said the construction of the ballroom will be financed by his own funds and corporate and individual donors at no cost to the taxpayer. The president said Wednesday the project will cost $300 million, up from an initial estimate of $200 million.
Trump has not said how much he is spending. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that the president will disclose his contribution.
The White House has released a list of donors that include Amazon , Alphabet , Apple , Microsoft and Meta .
Alphabet is contributing $22 million which represents about 7% of the project’s estimated cost. Its contribution is the result of a settlement reached with Trump last month over a lawsuit he filed against YouTube for banning him from the platform after a riot by his supporters against Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.
The settlement notes that $22 million will be contributed on Trump’s behalf
Trump White House ballroom financed by Big Tech and these other corporate donors
