Technology leaders Nvidia and Cisco have joined a growing list of major donors contributing to President Donald Trump's White House ballroom renovation. According to CNBC, Nvidia and Apple each pledged $25 million to the project, while Cisco confirmed a $5 million donation. The Washington Post reported that total donations exceeded $330 million, with contributions coming from tech giants like Amazon, Palantir, ServiceNow, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft.
Nvidia emphasized that its donation was made independently of any business interests, stating that it supports all Americans through a nonpartisan trust. However, lawmakers and experts have raised concerns about the potential influence these donations could have on policy decisions and federal contract awards. Some companies have already secured significant contracts in AI infrastructure and defense deals during Trump's second term.
The donations were made through a nonprofit trust, with donors receiving a pledge form for the "Donald J. Trump Ballroom." The Washington Post obtained documents showing 67 contributions above $10,000 as of late September. Tech leaders like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have been frequent attendees at state dinners and White House meetings, including a recent AI luncheon on September 29.