Apple Donating to Trump's $350M White House Ballroom Project

[MacRumors]

Apple is one of several tech companies that will contribute to the construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom, reports CNN.

Construction began on the ballroom this week, and the White House's east wing was torn down. Trump claims that the ballroom will cost $350 million, and that it will be privately funded through donations. The cost has already increased $150 million over the figures that Trump previously quoted.

Other tech companies that have donated to the ballroom construction include Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and HP.

There is no word on the specific amount that Apple donated toward the project.

Update: The total ballroom cost has been updated to $350 million, after Trump announced new pricing on Thursday evening.

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Article Link: Apple Donating to Trump's $350M White House Ballroom Project

 

[MacUserFella]

What’s next? The iPhone 18 Pro will only come in two colors, Orange for Trump and Silver for the White House?

 

[macman01101]

Tariffs for the win

 

[Spock]

I am honesty surprised that the White House doesn’t already have a space like this.

 

[jarman92]

Tariffs for the win

What does this have to do with tariffs?

 

[Mansu944]

is it Donald's personal ballroom or does MR just want to put their own spin on it?

 

[raziel101]

Just made some popcorn.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Absolutely disgusting

This turns me off from Apple so much.

 

[CapitalIdea]

is it Donald's personal ballroom or does MR just want to put their own spin on it?

You seem a little… triggered. Are you proud that there is a gilded 90,000 square foot party space being built as “part of” the 50,000 foot White House, while America remains functionally broke?

 

[TokyoKiller]

Maybe this explains why we got an orange iPhone this year

On a serious note, what did the East Wing house in terms of rooms and whatnot? I feel like we don't know a lot about it.

 

[Anonymous123]

“Tech Companies Given Another Opportunity to Bribe U.S. President in Exchange for Preferential Treatment”

 

[Kkspire]

Our capitol sucks compared to other countries. Glad to see them building something nicer.

 

[gaximus]

This doesnt really matter who is president. A large project like this in the WhiteHouse comes along once a lifetime or less, and to be able to donate and get your name on a placard, in the white house. You do it, that why so many companies are donating and the donations keep growing.

 

[GMShadow]

I am honesty surprised that the White House doesn’t already have a space like this.

It's been a request since Benjamin Harrison in 1892ish - and with the advent of modern air travel, the WH has been badly equipped for large state events. They do their best to decorate the pavilion tents but it's a bit...yeah. Long overdue.

Also worth remembering *many* of the changes to the White House over the years have been controversial. Hardly anyone brings up Truman ruining the design with the second floor balcony anymore but it caused a huge stir when it was first announced.

 

[RealE]

Our capitol sucks compared to other countries. Glad to see them building something nicer.

It's not the Capitol; it's the White House. And our US Capitol Building is quite grand.

 

[Downundermac]

Maybe this explains why we got an orange iPhone this year

Straight up nailed it 🤣😩.

 

[RealE]

The Grifting Presidency continues and corporations continue to pay out. Shame on them all.

 

[Tar Sniffer]

You seem a little… triggered. Are you proud that there is a gilded 90,000 square foot party space being built as “part of” the 50,000 foot White House, while America remains functionally broke?

It was all privately funded so it’s not costing the tax payer a dime.

 

[antmarobel]

This makes me remember Hugo Boss, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Krupp, Addidas...you know what I mean...

 

[Biro]

This doesnt really matter who is president. A large project like this in the WhiteHouse comes along once a lifetime or less, and to be able to donate and get your name on a placard, in the white house. You do it, that why so many companies are donating and the donations keep growing.

That’s actually not why the money for this project is rolling in. CEOs are busy trying to win favorable treatment by this administration. It may be the most obvious case of pay to play that I’ve seen in 50 years as a journalist. Meanwhile, the project very likely exceeds what is allowed without congressional approval.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This makes me remember Hugo Boss, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Krupp, Addidas...you know what I mean...

I’m guessing if forums had been around then, some faction would have been lauding their participation as well.

How depressing this all is.

 

[Artemiz]

It was all privately funded so it’s not costing the tax payer a dime.

What about the $230 million he wants to pay for himself.
Or the $176 million for the two jets for ICE Barbie to travel around for more photo shoots?

That’s a lot of taxpayer dimes.

Could’ve used all that money to pay ATC who are literally keeping thousands of people safe every day but now are DoorDashing to make ends meet. Do you really want them more exhausted than they already are?

 

[SFjohn]

Seems like he’s making himself at home. Looks like he plans to stay there for quite a while… 😉

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Remember this when Apple talks about environmentalism or saving lives. They're bankrolling a ballroom for the guy that hates renewable energy and foreigners.

Could be investing this in their products and services. Could be spending this on furthering their climate goals. Nah. Gotta suck up to the King of Clean Coal and Diet Coke.

 

[Hajj.david]

What about the $230 million he wants to pay for himself.
Or the $176 million for the two jets for ICE Barbie to travel around for more photo shoots?

That’s a lot of taxpayer dimes.

You mean the $1 salary he takes? Where are you getting 230 million