Apple, Google, HP, Meta and Palantir are among a cluster of Bay Area tech companies helping to bankroll President Donald Trump’s plan to build a $300 million ballroom, according to the White House.
The project has already leveled the East Wing and roiled preservationists and ethics watchdogs.
The White House this week confirmed a roster of donors that also includes Amazon, Microsoft, Coinbase, Ripple and defense contractor Lockheed Martin, alongside billionaire supporters such as Blackstone’s Stephen A. Schwarzman.
Trump said Wednesday the 90,000-square-foot ballroom – nearly double the size of the entire White House – will be funded “entirely by myself and donors,” with no taxpayer money involved.
Work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press)
“Over the years, many presidents have made changes,” Trump told reporters. “This obviously would be the biggest change. But this is something they’ve wanted for at least 150 years.”
The money is being funneled through the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall, according to administration officials.
A White House spokesperson said $350 million had already been raised, though the construction cost remains pegged at $300 million.
Asked how much of his own money he would contribute, Trump replied: “Oh, millions of dollars. Yeah. Well, I also give, you know, I give a lot of money to the White House.”
From left, Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Associated Press)
Court filings show Google’s parent company, Alphabet, will contribute $22 million “on behalf” of Trump as part of a legal settlement over his suspension from YouTube following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
The White House did not disclose donation amounts for other companies.
Demolition crews finished razing the White House’s East Wing this week to make way for the project – a reversal from Trump’s earlier pledge that the building would be preserved.
Historians and preservation advocates have condemned the move, arguing that the administration has bypassed legally required review processes.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up a historic photo showing construction of the West Terrace of the White House in 1902 as she speaks about planned construction of a new ballroom following the demolition of the White House East Wing, during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)
The White House contends that only the vertical construction phase requires formal permitting.
Critics say the donor-funded model raises questions about influence and access.
“So the People’s House is basically being sold to the highest bidder. It is corruption at its core,” said former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on “The View.”
Construction workers, bottom right, atop the U.S. Treasury, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press)
Supporters, however, frame the project as long-overdue modernization.
The ballroom, expected to host up to 1,000 guests, is slated for completion before Trump’s term ends in January 2029.
Senior officials have already begun referring to the space by its anticipated name: “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.”
This article originally published at Apple, Google and Meta help fund Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom.
