Simone Lawson
Political campaigns in the United States are financed through a combination of public and private funding, with the latter accounting for most campaign spending. Over the years, Donald Trump has made substantial political donations to both Democratic and Republican politicians and committees. From 1989 to 2015, Trump donated $1,845,290 to various political campaigns, with Republicans receiving $1,150,540 and Democrats receiving $694,750. More recently, in the 2024 election cycle, Trump received donations from prominent companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, Meta, and Amazon, as well as the cryptocurrency industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total amount donated to political campaigns (1989-2015) | $1,845,290 |
| Amount donated to Republicans (1989-2015) | $1,150,540 |
| Amount donated to Republicans (2011-2015) | $630,150 |
| Amount donated to Democrats (1989-2015) | $694,750 |
| Amount donated to Democrats (2011-2015) | $8,500 |
| Amount donated to New York politicians | $553,390 |
| Amount donated to Democrats in New York | $344,900 |
| Amount donated to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign in 2010 | $2,400 |
| Amount donated to the Democratic Cmte of New York State in 2010 | $10,000 |
| Amount donated by Elon Musk in 2024 | $277 million |
| Companies that donated to Trump's campaign or the Presidential Inaugural Committee | Coca-Cola, PayPal, Uber, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, Amazon, Meta, Airbnb, J. Joe Ricketts of TD Ameritrade, Coinbase, Kraken, Galaxy Digital Holdings, Crypto.com, and Paradigm Operations |
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What You'll Learn
Donations to the Clinton Foundation
The Clinton Foundation was established by former US President Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence". The foundation has offices in New York City and Little Rock, Arkansas. Through 2016, the foundation had raised an estimated $2 billion from a variety of donors, including US corporations, foreign governments and corporations, political donors, and other groups and individuals.
The Clinton Foundation has been the target of attacks by Donald Trump, who has called it a "criminal enterprise" and a "pay-to-play operation". However, it is worth noting that Trump himself is listed as a contributor to the foundation, with a cumulative lifetime donation amount between $100,001 to $250,000. Tax forms show that the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which Trump controls, donated $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation in 2009 and reserved a table at the Clinton Foundation gala for $10,000 in 2010. Trump has not denied making these donations. During the first GOP primary debate in August 2015, Trump voluntarily brought up his giving to the Clinton Foundation when asked about his previous donations to Hillary Clinton.
The Clinton Foundation has been the subject of controversy due to its acceptance of funds from wealthy donors, including foreign governments and corporations. In 2016, the Boston Globe's editorial board urged the foundation to stop accepting donations for the remainder of the campaign and shut down entirely if Hillary Clinton were elected president. The foundation has also been investigated by the FBI and the Justice Department over allegations of corruption, influence-peddling, and financial crimes.
Despite the controversies, the Clinton Foundation has received accolades from philanthropy experts and has drawn bipartisan support. It has funded extensive disaster relief programs, such as those following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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Donations to Republicans
From 1989 to 2015, Donald Trump donated $1,845,290 to political campaigns, with Republicans receiving $1,150,540 of that amount. Between 2011 and 2015, Trump contributed $8,500 to Democrats and $630,150 to Republicans.
Trump's last contribution to a Democratic member of Congress was Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), to whom he donated $2,400 in September 2010. His last contribution to the Democratic Party was $10,000 to the Democratic Committee of New York State, also in September 2010.
Trump's donations to Republicans at the state level included $344,900 to New York politicians. At the federal level, Trump donated $2 million to J. Joe Ricketts of TD Ameritrade.
Trump's fundraising efforts reflect the support of influential donors who may expect favourable policies in return. His financial backing from corporate and billionaire donors signals key industry interests in a potential second Trump presidency. Major companies that have contributed to Trump's campaigns or inauguration committees include Chevron, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, Amazon, Meta, Uber, Qualcomm, Coca-Cola, PayPal, Airbnb, and Coinbase.
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Donations to Democrats
From 1989 to 2010, Donald Trump donated $175,860 more to Democrats than Republicans, with donations to the latter increasing significantly from 2011 onwards. Between 1989 and 2015, Trump donated a total of $694,750 to Democrats, with $344,900 of that going to New York politicians.
Trump's last contribution to a Democratic member of Congress was Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.). In September 2010, he made two donations of $2,400 to her campaign. His last contribution to the Democratic Party was $10,000 to the Democratic Committee of New York State in September 2010.
Trump's donations to Democrats have been a source of scrutiny, with the former president being questioned about his previous contributions while on the campaign trail in 2015. During a June 2015 interview, Trump was asked why he donated to the Clinton Foundation and prominent Democrats, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Trump defended his actions, stating that it was a smart business decision to maintain relationships with both sides of the political aisle.
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Donations from corporations
Political campaigns in the United States are financed through a combination of private and public funding. While most campaign spending is privately financed, public financing is available for qualifying candidates during the primaries and the general election. In the 21st century, money spent on campaigns has increased faster than inflation.
Donald Trump's political donations between 1989 and 2015 totalled $1,845,290, with Republicans receiving $1,150,540 and Democrats receiving $694,750. Notably, before 2011, Trump donated more to Democrats than Republicans. From 2011 to 2015, however, his donations shifted, with Republicans receiving $630,150 and Democrats receiving $8,500. Trump's largest contribution to a Democratic member of Congress was $2,400 to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign in September 2010. He also donated $10,000 to the Democratic Committee of New York State in the same month.
Trump's donations to Democrats have raised questions, particularly during his 2015 campaign. In a 2015 interview, Trump defended his donations to the Clinton Foundation and prominent Democrats, stating that it was a smart business decision to maintain relationships with all sides. Trump's total donations to Democrats in his home state of New York amounted to $344,900, demonstrating the importance he placed on fostering connections.
During his own campaigns, Trump received substantial sums from corporations and business leaders. Major companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Occidental Petroleum contributed to his inauguration committee. Tech giants, including Amazon and Meta, each donated $1 million, and Uber and Qualcomm also provided significant support. The cryptocurrency industry emerged as a major donor, with Coinbase, Kraken, and Crypto.com contributing $1 million each. Additionally, Airbnb provided $100,000 in coupons for accommodations during the inauguration.
While the exact motivations behind individual contributions are unknown, patterns of donations offer valuable insights into the financial backing of candidates. The support from corporate and billionaire donors indicates the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on key industry interests.
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Donations from billionaires
Political campaigns in the United States are financed through a combination of private and public funding. While most campaign spending is privately financed through donors, public financing is also available for qualifying candidates during the primaries and general elections.
Donald Trump's political fundraising efforts have attracted substantial sums from influential corporations and business leaders. Notable billionaire donors to Trump's campaigns include J. Joe Ricketts of TD Ameritrade, who donated $2 million, and Elon Musk, who donated $277 million in 2024, making him the single largest individual political donor in that election.
Major companies that have contributed to Trump's campaigns or the Presidential Inaugural Committee include Chevron, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, Amazon, Meta, Uber, Qualcomm, Coca-Cola, PayPal, Airbnb, and Coinbase. The cryptocurrency industry has emerged as a significant donor, with several companies contributing $1 million each.
Trump's donations to Democratic politicians and organizations prior to his own presidential campaign have also been noted. Between 1989 and 2015, Trump donated $694,750 to Democrats and $1,150,540 to Republicans. Notable recipients of Trump's donations include the Clinton Foundation, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.
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Frequently asked questions
Companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Occidental Petroleum contributed to Trump's 2024 campaign. Tech giants such as Amazon and Meta donated $1 million each, along with Uber and Qualcomm. The cryptocurrency industry also emerged as a major donor, with Coinbase, Kraken, Galaxy Digital Holdings, Crypto.com, and Paradigm Operations each contributing $1 million.
Airbnb provided $100,000 in coupons to the inaugural committee for accommodations in Washington, D.C. Coca-Cola, PayPal, and Uber also contributed to Trump's 2020 campaign or the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Before 2011, Trump donated $694,750 to the Democratic Party.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) was the last Democratic member of Congress to receive a donation from Trump, receiving two donations of $2,400 in September 2010.
