Ripple, Coinbase, and Tether donated to a $300 million White House ballroom project, announced October 23, 2025. The 90,000-square-foot addition, replacing the East Wing, began construction in September. Private funding, including from Amazon and Google, covers costs, with crypto firms prominently featured. Donor List Revealed The White House disclosed Ripple, Coinbase, Tether, and Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss as donors. Exact amounts remain undisclosed. These firms previously backed Trump’s January 2025 inaugural fund. Crypto PACs spent over $200 million in 2024 elections, signaling deep political engagement. Project Details and Defense The ballroom will host 650 guests for state events. White House officials called it a bold upgrade and rejected preservationist criticism over the East Wing demolition as overstated. Private donations ensure no taxpayer burden, though transparency concerns linger. Crypto’s Political Play The donations underscore crypto’s growing influence in Washington. Ripple, post-SEC battles, and Tether, facing stablecoin scrutiny, gain favor with Trump’s pro-crypto stance. Analysts see this as a strategic move to shape lighter regulations, amplifying industry clout.
