President Donald Trump raised a remarkable$ 239 million for his January opening, shattering all previous data and more than doubling his unique 2017 full of$ 107 million, The New York Times reported. The amount, revealed in a recent Federal Election Commission ( FEC ) filing, marks the most ever raised for a US presidential inauguration, underscoring corporate America’s intent to align with Trump as he re-enters the White House.
The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, which organised the festivities, received at least$ 1 million from around 140 donors, including major corporations such as JPMorgan Chase, Delta Air Lines, Target, Meta, and Amazon. “The total … is more than double the previous record, ” NYT’s Theodore Schleifer reported.
The largest contributions came from Pilgrim’s ($ 5 million ), cryptocurrency firm Ripple Inc. , and GOP donation Warren Stephens, who contributed$ 4 million on the same day he was announced as Trump’s pick for adviser to the UK. Though the FEC requires reporting of funds over$ 200, it does not mandate information on how the funds are spent. The annual committee has not formally detailed its costs.
Among previously unknown contributors were Elon Musk affiliates John Hering, Ken Howery, and Keith Rabois—each contributing$ 1 million. Musk himself, despite being a political director, did not contribute individually or via his businesses.
Trump’s haul considerably outpaces historic norms. George W. Bush raised$ 30 million in 2001 ( about$ 55 million today ), and Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration raised$ 62 million, scaled back due to the pandemic. Trump’s combined total from both inaugurations now stands at$ 346 million —exceeding the combined nominal fundraising of all inaugurations since Richard Nixon’s in 1973.
Despite raising almost a quarter-billion bucks, some seven-figure contributors were reportedly denied access to important events due to limited power. Of the total$ 245 million accepted, about$ 6 million was refunded, including a$ 50,000 check from the Miss Universe Organization, previously owned by Trump.
