Trump Raises Record $239 Million for Inauguration, Doubling 2017 Total

Former U.S. President Donald Trump raised a staggering $239 million for his January 2025 inauguration, according to a new filing released by the Federal Election Commission on Sunday — more than doubling the amount collected for his 2017 swearing-in and setting a new fundraising record for a U.S. presidential inauguration.

The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, formed for the celebration marking Trump’s return to the White House alongside Vice President J.D. Vance, drew contributions from hundreds of high-profile donors and corporations. Major names among the donors include Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, Airbnb, and McDonald’s — each contributing at least $1 million.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also made headlines for contributing $1 million, underscoring the prominent presence of the tech industry during the event. Several leading Silicon Valley figures attended the inauguration, with sources noting that around a dozen billionaires were present at the ceremony, representing an estimated cumulative net worth of $1 trillion — nearly equivalent to Switzerland’s GDP.

Seated in prominent positions during the swearing-in were Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Google’s Sundar Pichai, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk — the world’s richest man — highlighting the administration’s tight orbit with America’s tech elite.

The $239 million total dwarfs the $107 million raised for Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 and far exceeds the $61 million raised by President Joe Biden for his 2021 ceremony. The figure does not include over $6 million in contributions that were later refunded, according to the FEC disclosure.

Under U.S. law, inaugural committees must disclose donations of $200 or more and are prohibited from accepting funds from foreign nationals. The FEC filing confirms compliance with these requirements.

Trump’s record-breaking fundraising underscores his enduring appeal among wealthy donors and corporate America, even as his return to power remains a deeply polarizing event. The lavish spending around the inauguration has drawn scrutiny, with political analysts noting the symbolic weight of corporate and tech industry alignment with the administration.

As Trump embarks on his second term, observers say the scale and makeup of his inauguration fundraising may offer clues to the priorities and influence networks shaping his policy agenda in the years ahead.

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