Top pro-Israel philanthropists join Trump’s initiative as Arab regimes offer noise but no real partnership.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the luxurious $300 million White House ballroom project will be funded entirely through private contributions, declaring that it is financed “100% by me and some friends of mine.” The White House later published a partial list of thirty-seven donors spanning America’s most influential industries—finance, technology, crypto, sports, and philanthropy.
Among the high-profile names, two major Israel-linked donors stand out prominently: GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, and billionaire philanthropist Isaac Perlmutter, both long-time allies of Trump and fierce supporters of Israel.
Adelson, whose philanthropy is deeply rooted in strengthening Israel and safeguarding the Jewish people, received a public tribute from Trump during his recent address to the Knesset. Trump credited her advocacy as instrumental in his historic 2017 decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a move still fiercely opposed by Palestinian leadership and Arab regimes. With characteristic humor, Trump quipped about her wealth: “Look at her sitting there so innocently. She’s got $60 billion in the bank.”
Perlmutter, the former chairman of Marvel Entertainment, donated through the Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation, which supports medical innovation and community development. He and his wife Laura have long been supporters of Trump’s presidential efforts and pro-Israel causes.
The donor list extends far beyond individual philanthropists. Major corporate players such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft—all of whom backed Trump’s inauguration—have again contributed. Their executives have been in frequent discussions with Trump over US-based manufacturing and advancing America’s lead in artificial intelligence.
Defense and security giants—including Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Palantir Technologies—are also involved, underscoring the strategic implications of Trump’s expanding defense-tech ecosystem. Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel, has been a key partner in federal security modernization under Trump’s leadership.
Crypto titans Coinbase, Ripple, and Tether joined as well, highlighting the rapidly growing alignment between digital-asset innovators and the administration as Trump dismantles restrictive regulations and invites crypto leaders into policy circles.
Industrial heavyweights such as Caterpillar, NextEra Energy, and Union Pacific—currently pursuing the largest rail merger in US history with Trump’s endorsement—rounded out the list.
Individual donors include Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, oil industry legend Harold Hamm, and NFL team owners Edward and Shari Glazer. Yet the White House acknowledges the list is incomplete: contributions from Nvidia and Carrier Group—both publicly discussed—were notably absent.
A senior administration official said more donors are joining the initiative but prefer confidentiality until required by federal disclosure rules. The White House stressed that no foreign individuals or entities contributed, ensuring the project remains entirely under US jurisdiction.
The ballroom—set to become a major symbolic venue for diplomacy, national ceremonies, and global summits—already reflects Trump’s network of allies committed to reshaping America’s strategic posture. And notably, pro-Israel leaders remain among the most influential supporters, in stark contrast with Arab regimes that continue to posture politically yet contribute little to constructive engagement.
