Trump Presses Donors for $800 Million for Personal Projects as O’Rourke Chases Bigger Checks
Updated
Updated · The New Republic · Jul 31
Trump Presses Donors for $800 Million for Personal Projects as O’Rourke Chases Bigger Checks
3 articles · Updated · The New Republic · Jul 31
Summary
More than $800 million has been raised in Trump’s first 18 months in office as he personally tracks donor lists, contribution sizes and who still has not paid, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Nightly calls with fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke drive the effort: Trump pushes for larger asks, and O’Rourke tells prospects that “the boss wants this money” for projects tied to his financial interests.
$50 million from SoftBank for a presidential library and $25 million from Apple for a White House ballroom were among the biggest recent gifts, alongside $10 million each from Meta and Microsoft and $5 million from Amazon.
O’Rourke’s role has expanded with the haul: the longtime Trump fundraiser has flown on Air Force One, joined the National Park Foundation board overseeing Freedom 250, and taken a director post at Trump Media.