- Trump’s chief political fundraiser, dubbed his 'princess of darkness', has raised $800 million for his pet projects, including refurbishment of the White House ballroom and political action committees aligned with his agenda.
- Meredith O’Rourke, the 54-year-old fundraiser, is a regular presence at the White House and is known for her aggressive fundraising tactics, often telling executives, ‘The boss wants this money’.
- Trump’s fundraising strategy has shifted dramatically since his 2016 campaign, where he initially rejected PACs, now aiming to raise $1 billion from corporate donors.
- Major corporations have contributed significantly, with donations including $50 million from SoftBank for the presidential library and $25 million from Apple for the ballroom.
- Trump's initial stance against fundraising has changed, as he now actively seeks donations from corporate America, which some analysts describe as a ‘wholesale money trough’.
- Executives believe there is a direct link between their contributions and access to the president, with some describing it as ‘The Trump Transaction Tax’.
Donald Trump has raised an astonishing $800 million for his personal projects during his second term, with the help of his chief fundraiser, Meredith O’Rourke, who he calls nearly every night to discuss donations. O’Rourke, referred to as the “princess of darkness,” has been instrumental in securing funds from corporations with interests before the administration.1234
The funds have been directed towards various initiatives, including the presidential library, political action committees, and extravagant events like the Fourth of July celebrations. The Wall Street Journal reports that O’Rourke often tells potential donors, “The boss wants this money,” emphasizing the direct link between contributions and access to Trump.
Major corporations have contributed significantly, with SoftBank donating $50 million for the library, Apple providing $25 million for the ballroom, and Meta and Microsoft each giving $10 million. This fundraising strategy has raised eyebrows, with some executives believing their donations directly influence their access to the president.71011
Historically, Trump was skeptical of fundraising, previously labeling PACs as a “scam.” However, his approach has shifted dramatically, with analysts noting that he is “shattering all fundraising paradigms” in corporate America. Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for Trump, claims he is the “most successful fundraiser in modern political history.” Critics, however, argue that this new approach resembles a “wholesale money trough.”
“The Wall Street Journal reports Trump instructed O’Rourke to request as much as $50 million, and Lockheed Martin gave over $10 million before being awarded a Pentagon deal worth up to $35 billion. One executive was approached for another $1 million days after contributing; donors gain access to Mar-a-Lago and White House events.”
The Daily Beast
The Independent
