TLDR
- 128 business and crypto leaders attended Trump’s White House gala fundraiser.
- The $250M ballroom project will be privately funded without taxpayer money.
- Coinbase, Ripple, Tether, and Gemini founders joined the exclusive event.
- YouTube donated $22M to the project following a lawsuit settlement with Trump.
Some of the biggest names in the cryptocurrency world gathered at the White House this week for a high-profile fundraiser hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump. The event aimed to raise funds for a $250 million ballroom project, which will reportedly be built using private donations rather than taxpayer money. The gathering drew attention across business and political circles for the mix of crypto giants and corporate leaders in attendance.
Crypto Executives and Business Leaders Attend Exclusive Gala
The Wednesday night gala brought together 128 prominent figures from the finance and technology sectors. The guest list included representatives from major crypto firms such as Coinbase, Ripple, Tether, and the Winklevoss twins from Gemini. Their presence reflected the growing influence of digital assets in mainstream finance and politics.
Executives from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Palantir were also in attendance, as well as representatives from telecom firms T-Mobile and Comcast. Traditional industries were represented by Altria and Reynolds American. Other notable attendees included oil magnate Harold Hamm, the Lutnick family, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owners Edward and Shari Glazer.
During the event, Trump thanked contributors for their “tremendous” donations, claiming the project’s funding was already “fully taken care of.” However, the presence of major donors has raised questions about whether financial contributions could influence future policy decisions.
Privately Funded Expansion of the Presidential Residence
The Trump administration announced plans over the summer to expand the East Wing of the White House by adding a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. Officials said the new facility will host large-scale events such as state dinners and public ceremonies. The venue is expected to accommodate around 1,000 guests and feature bulletproof glass throughout.
Trump described the ballroom as a “modern addition to America’s most important home.” The administration emphasized that all funding would come from private sources. Critics, however, have voiced concerns about transparency and donor influence, especially given the scale of the fundraising effort.
YouTube Settlement and Crypto Donors’ Growing Presence
One of the most surprising aspects of the fundraiser was the mention of YouTube’s recent $22 million contribution to the ballroom project. The donation came as part of a legal settlement resolving Trump’s lawsuit against the platform over his account suspension after the 2021 Capitol riot.
Crypto-related guests at the gala further cemented the industry’s close relationship with the Trump administration. Ripple’s leadership has recently taken part in several political discussions, while Coinbase executives have supported blockchain-friendly policy reforms. Tether representatives also attended, marking a growing interest from stablecoin firms in Washington policymaking.
The event followed another private dinner earlier this year at Trump’s Virginia golf club, attended by top investors in his personal cryptocurrency venture. That meeting included a White House tour for major token holders, suggesting ongoing efforts to align Trump’s political and financial interests with the digital asset community.
Public Reaction and Political Questions
The lavish fundraiser has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and ethics watchdogs. Senator Elizabeth Warren and other critics questioned whether private financing for presidential property projects could create conflicts of interest. Supporters, however, argue that the initiative saves taxpayer money while improving the nation’s most recognized residence.
While it remains unclear how much each attendee donated, the event signals the increasing political weight of the crypto sector in Washington. As digital currencies continue to expand their presence in global finance, their leaders appear eager to secure stronger connections with the U.S. government.
