Washington — Contribute money to the new White House ballroom President Trump is constructing and, in exchange, donors may be able to choose a Trumpian option: their names etched inside the White House forever. At least that’s one option that has been discussed.
Also under consideration: listing donor names on a website, though no final decision has been made.
Multiple companies have pledged to donate $5 million or more for what was projected to be a $200 million addition to the executive mansion, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Mr. Trump has had personal discussions with business executives about chipping in, three of the sources said.
Google, R.J. Reynolds, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Palantir and NextEra Energy have donated, and so have firms in the tech, manufacturing, banking and health industries, sources told CBS News.
Lockheed Martin is among the companies that have pledged more than $10 million, according to one of the sources. Company officials declined to confirm the amount, but Jalen Drummond, vice president of corporate affairs at Lockheed Martin said in a statement: “Lockheed Martin is grateful for the opportunity to help bring the President’s vision to reality and make this addition to the People’s House, a powerful symbol of the American ideals we work to defend every day.”
Individuals have also pledged to contribute, including Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman.
Meredith O’Rourke, a top political fundraiser for Mr. Trump, is leading the effort, paired with the Trust for the National Mall, an organization that supports the National Park Service. The trust’s nonprofit status means donations come with a federal tax write-off.
Representatives at Trust for the National Mall did not reply to requests for comment.
Officials at some companies said the decision to give money was based on a desire to show support for Mr. Trump while backing what they view as a nonpartisan cause — construction of an event space that will outlast the current president.
Construction got underway on the South Lawn earlier this month.
In July, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 90,000-square-foot annex would be paid for by private donors and the president himself. Mr. Trump committed to disclosing donors’ names and said he wasn’t looking for contributions from foreign sources.
“I’m paying for it. I’m paying for it,” Mr. Trump said Tuesday, predicting that the ballroom could cost $250 million.
A White House official said nearly $200 million has been pledged so far, and fundraising is ongoing.
Potential donors have received a pledge agreement for “The Donald J. Trump Ballroom at the White House.” As a businessman, Mr. Trump has made a fortune appending his name to buildings.
The pledge form, which was reviewed by CBS News, gives donors the option to pay in a lump sum or spread their contribution over three installments to be completed by 2027.
