Hustler Words – While the U.S. government grapples with a shutdown, activity is surging at the White House. Construction crews are actively demolishing the East Wing to make way for a sprawling 90,000-square-foot ballroom, designed to accommodate up to 1,000 guests. This ambitious $250 million project isn’t being funded by taxpayer dollars; instead, President Trump is relying on private donations to realize his vision.
A list of donors released by the White House reveals a significant influx of capital from some of America’s most influential tech companies. Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are among the major players contributing to the project, alongside defense contractors like Palantir and Lockheed Martin, and telecom giants such as Comcast and T-Mobile. The crypto industry is also represented, with donations from Coinbase, Ripple, Tether America, and the Winklevoss twins.
The exact amount contributed by each donor remains undisclosed. However, at least $20 million from Google is tied to a recent lawsuit settlement stemming from YouTube’s suspension of Trump’s account following the January 6, 2021, riots. Hustler Words – reached out to Google to determine if this settlement represents the entirety of their contribution but has yet to receive a response.
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The relationship between Silicon Valley and Trump has undergone a noticeable shift. Initially resistant to Trump’s presidency in 2016, the tech industry has seemingly warmed to him during his current term. Meta, for example, refrained from donating to Trump’s first inauguration fund but contributed $1 million to his second. Similarly, Amazon increased its donation from $58,000 to a more substantial $1 million.
These donations could reflect a growing alignment between Trump and the tech industry, particularly in light of ongoing antitrust litigation faced by many major tech companies. The Trump administration’s approach to antitrust enforcement has been perceived as less aggressive compared to the FTC under former President Biden’s leadership.
Furthermore, Trump’s proactive stance on AI development, including his plan to cut red tape and allocate government funds to support data center construction, could be seen as a financial incentive for companies involved in building out that technology.
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