Private companies are increasingly supporting the inaugural celebrations of the new U.S. President, Donald Trump, with millions in donations.
The U.S. presidential inauguration ceremony, traditionally held on January 20, is a major media event increasingly backed by corporate sponsorships. The list of donors for Trump’s ceremony is growing rapidly. Recently, Delta Air Lines, automotive giant Stellantis, and Hyundai’s U.S. division each pledged $1 million. This has become a standard contribution among supporters. Companies such as Boeing, General Motors, Ford, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta have also donated $1 million each. Individual contributors include Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
Corporate Motivations
The tech and automotive sectors are particularly well-represented among donors. Experts suggest these industries are aligning with the incoming administration to influence potential policy changes. Hyundai, for example, expressed optimism about working with the Trump administration on policies supporting American manufacturing, protecting supply chains, and encouraging innovation.
Changes in trade policies or regulations on electric vehicles and emissions, which the new administration might pursue, are likely to have a significant impact on these industries. Tech companies, which frequently face regulatory scrutiny, may also seek to maintain favorable conditions by demonstrating support for the incoming leadership.
New Donation Record
Trump’s inauguration ceremony is expected to set a new record, with donations projected to exceed $170 million. This surpasses the previous record of $106.7 million, also set by Trump in 2017.
For comparison, outgoing President Joe Biden raised $61.8 million for his 2021 inauguration, with donations from companies like Pfizer, AT&T, and Boeing. Former President Barack Obama collected approximately $50 million for each of his inaugurations in 2009 and 2013.
Trump’s unprecedented fundraising underscores the significance of corporate influence in U.S. politics and reflects the high stakes for industries likely to be affected by his policies.
