Washington, DC – President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee managed to raise a staggering $239 million, as revealed by a recent fundraising report. This amount far surpasses the $109 million raised for his first inauguration back in 2017, setting a new record for inaugural fundraising. Major contributions came from individuals selected by Trump for government roles and corporate entities with vested interests in dealings with the administration, particularly in sectors such as oil, finance, technology, and transportation.
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a leading poultry producer, emerged as the top donor, offering a generous $5 million to Trump’s inaugural committee. Ripple Labs, a notable cryptocurrency and blockchain company, followed closely behind with a contribution of nearly $4.9 million. Energy giants like Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Shell each donated at least $500,000, with the American Petroleum Institute’s political arm also joining the list of major contributors. Additionally, companies specializing in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, including Solana Labs, Open AI, C3.ai, Coinbase, and Galaxy Digital Services, made substantial donations.
High-profile figures from companies such as Amazon, Meta, Apple, and various computing and healthcare firms also joined in the fundraising effort. Political donors with ties to the Trump administration, some of whom were later appointed to significant roles by the president, further boosted the committee’s coffers. GOP megadonor Warren Stephens, who Trump nominated as the ambassador to the United Kingdom, donated $4 million. Similarly, various individuals tapped for administration positions, such as Jared Issacman, Melissa Argyros, Tilman Fertitta, and Linda McMahon, contributed significant amounts to the cause.
Notably, inaugural committees face no restrictions on contribution amounts, though foreign entities are prohibited from donating directly (indirect contributions through American subsidiaries are allowed). Within three months of each inauguration, committees must disclose all donations of $200 or more to maintain transparency in the fundraising process. The substantial funds raised by Trump’s inaugural committee underscore the significant financial backing and support he garnered from a diverse array of individuals and corporations during his presidential inauguration.