By ZEKE MILLER and MICHELLE L. PRICE
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has raised greater than $170 million for his upcoming inauguration, a report quantity as tech executives and massive donors have eagerly written giant checks to assist bankroll the ceremony.
The non-public donations collected up to now had been confirmed by an individual with firsthand data of the fundraising who was not approved to talk publicly. The particular person mentioned Trump’s inaugural committee is anticipated to boost greater than $200 million by the tip of the hassle.
Trump’s inaugural committee didn’t instantly reply to a message looking for remark Wednesday. The committee has not but detailed the way it plans to spend the donations.
The non-public donations are usually used to assist pay for occasions surrounding the inauguration, comparable to prices associated to the oath of workplace ceremony itself, together with a parade and glitzy inaugural balls. Cash leftover from the inaugural committee is anticipated for use towards a future Trump presidential library, in accordance with the particular person.
The whopping quantity raised up to now by Trump’s presidential inaugural committee is greater than double the quantity President Joe Biden raised 4 years in the past when he introduced in practically $62 million for his inauguration, in accordance with Federal Election Fee information.
Donations to Trump’s first inauguration in 2016 additionally set a report when he introduced in practically $107 million.
After the previous president’s victory in November, together with Republicans successful management of each chambers of Congress, main donors, together with tech firms, have been writing massive checks as they’ve sought to enhance their relationship with the incoming president.
Amazon and Meta, the mum or dad firm of Fb and Instagram, mentioned final month they had been every planning to donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman additionally mentioned he was planning to make a $1 million private donation.
The New York Instances first reported on Wednesday the fundraising sum for this month’s inauguration.
Value reported from New York.
Initially Revealed: January 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM PST