Apple on short list of donors to Trump’s White House demolition ballroom project

Throughout this week, photos have shown demolition happening at the White House as much of the East Wing is being demolished. The images have been jarring as they show that President Trump’s plans for a privately funded ballroom mean replacing much of the East Wing, not just extending it.

What does any of this have to do with Apple? CNN reports:

Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Coinbase, Comcast and Meta are just some of the major companies who have made donations to build President Donald Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to the White House.

Trump has repeatedly said that work on the ballroom is privately funded by himself and donors and will cost nothing to taxpayers.

On Wednesday, Trump discussed his plans for the ballroom, saying it will cost “about $300 million.” The administration previously put the cost of the ballroom project at $200 million.

The donor list includes a mix of corporations, foundations, and private citizens.

Apple CEO Tim Cook previously handled political contributions privately, including donating to Republican Paul Ryan and holding a private fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Even at the start of the second Trump administration, Cook personally donated $1 million to the inauguration fund, which was viewed at the time as a goodwill gesture toward the new president that could benefit Apple — without literally involving Apple.

Less than one year into the second Trump term, Apple has awarded the president with a 24k gold and glass statue and helped fund a vanity project at the White House as an official company action.

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