Trump received ₹18,000 crore in donations over the year: In return, he provided benefits worth crores of rupees

After Donald Trump's second presidential term in the US, his team raised a massive amount of money. A New York Times investigation revealed that after the election, Trump and his associates collected nearly $2 billion (18,000 crore rupees) for various funds and initiatives. This amount is even more than the money raised for his election campaign.

According to the report, based on government documents, funding records, and interviews with numerous individuals, it was found that at least 346 major donors each contributed $250,000 or more.

These individuals alone contributed over $500 million. Approximately 200 of these donors, or their businesses, benefited from decisions made by the Trump administration. This includes six Indian-origin businessmen, such as Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella.

These benefits included various advantages: some received presidential pardons, others had ongoing cases against them dropped, some companies received large government contracts, while others gained direct access to the White House or were given high-ranking positions in the government.

However, the report also states that it is difficult to prove a direct quid pro quo – that someone gave money and received a direct benefit in return – but the relationship between the money and the benefits certainly raises questions.

Now, let's look at how Trump's team raised the funds:

Trump's team created several different avenues for raising money. The largest of these is MAGA (Make America Great Again) Inc., a Super PAC. A PAC is an organization that raises money for political purposes and uses that money to support a candidate or party.

This organization raised approximately $200 million between November 2024 and June 2025.  In addition, the committee formed for Trump's inauguration ceremony raised approximately $240 million, the highest amount in American history.

Furthermore, donations are also being solicited for the construction of a lavish ballroom in the White House. Trump claims that approximately $350 million has been raised for this purpose, although the Times has confirmed donations from donors totaling around $100 million. This money is being channeled through an organization called the "Trust for the National Mall."

Donor names are not required to be disclosed.

In addition, money was raised for "America250," an organization created for the 250th anniversary of American independence, the White House Historical Association, and a political group called Securing American Greatness.

In many of these cases, donor names are not required to be made public, so the entire system remains largely secret.

According to the report, Trump himself monitors who is donating how much money. His fundraising chief, Meredith O’Rourke, provides him with regular updates. Several lobbyists advise their clients that donating to these organizations can be beneficial if they want Trump's attention and access.

Donations led to ambassadorships and contracts.

The report states that one woman donated $2.5 million to MAGA Inc., and a few months later, her father received a significantly reduced sentence in a bribery case from the Justice Department.

Similarly, the engineering company Parsons donated $2.5 million to the Ballroom Project and is now in the running for billions of dollars in government contracts, such as Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system.

The CEO of the video game company Roblox also made a large donation and praised Trump's AI-related policies. A couple donated over $1.5 million combined to the inauguration ceremony and MAGA Inc., and their son was later appointed the US ambassador to Finland.

The tech company Palantir donated $10 million to the Ballroom project and $5 million to "America250." Following this, it received hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts from the Trump administration, including developing software for the immigration department. However, the company says this wasn't all due to donations.

Trump himself praised the donors at the White House.

The foundation of casino magnate Miriam Adelson pledged nearly $25 million for the ballroom. Trump himself praised her at the White House, noting that she had previously contributed significantly to his election campaign.

Defense companies Lockheed Martin and Boeing also donated millions of dollars to the inauguration ceremony and other projects. They subsequently benefited from major government decisions related to fighter jets and defense contracts.

In some cases, Trump also granted presidential pardons to donors or those connected to them. The owner of an event company that had made a donation was later pardoned by Trump. Similarly, the son of a woman who donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. received a pardon for tax crimes.

Cryptocurrency companies also donated millions of dollars to Trump-supported groups. Following these donations, the government dropped several cases and investigations against them and adopted policies favorable to cryptocurrency. Oil, gas, and coal companies also contributed tens of millions of dollars and, in return, received relaxed environmental regulations and drilling permits.

Several businessmen traveled with Trump on foreign trips.

At least 100 major donors attended private dinners with Trump at the White House, traveled with him on foreign trips, and met directly with the president. On several occasions, they were featured prominently in government social media posts and press releases.

The White House has denied all these allegations, stating that Trump's only motivation is the good of the country and that donors should not be viewed with suspicion.