Trump treats big donors to White House dinner
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
President Trump at the White House this month. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
President Trump on Tuesday evening dined with some of the Republican Party's biggest contributors on the White House's Rose Garden patio, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The private dinner illustrates how Trump is using the trappings of the White House to reward mega-donors who are aligned with his political agenda and interests.
- Trump last week hosted another dinner for corporations and individuals who are bankrolling his $250 million White House ballroom project.
Zoom out: The dinner on the newly renovated patio featured more than 60 major contributors, plus a number of senior White House advisers and cabinet members.
- The president told donors that Democrats were to blame for the prolonged government shutdown, according to a person familiar with his remarks. He also stressed the importance of winning next year's midterm elections.
Zoom in: The list of big donors present included hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, casino mogul Steve Wynn, investor Andy Beal and agriculture executive Charles Herbster.
- Other attendees included supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, biotech executive Oliver Burckhardt and businessman Jay Kemmerer and his wife, Karen Kemmerer.
Many of the donors have given large amounts to the Republican National Committee and Trump's political operation.
- Among the attendees was Florida-based injury attorney Dan Newlin, who donated more than $2.5 million to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC during the 2024 campaign.
- Lisa Troutt, whose prominent Dallas family has given millions of dollars to pro-Trump political committees over the years, was also present.
The intrigue: Also at the dinner was Jared Isaacman, a close ally of tech billionaire Elon Musk, who previously headed DOGE, which Trump tasked with cutting U.S. government spending and jobs.
- Isaacman had been Trump's initial pick to run NASA. But Trump pulled Isaacman's nomination after the president was informed he had previously donated to Democrats.
Trump's decision to withdraw Isaacman's nomination infuriated Musk and played a major role in fueling the breakup between the world's richest person and the president.
- But Isaacman has remained supportive of Trump. In June, just weeks after Trump yanked his nomination, Isaacman donated $1 million to MAGA Inc.
- The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Isaacman is lobbying to be renominated to the position.
- The Journal reported Isaacman is competing for the NASA post with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has been leading the agency in an interim capacity.
Go deeper: Ethics experts cringe as wealthy woo Trump with ballroom funds
