Missing Donor Names Spark Questions Over White House $300 Million Ballroom

A list released by the White House left out more than three dozen donations and the names tied to them, a report says.
The omission has opened a new fight over money, power, and who gets to be known.

The plan calls for a new, privately funded ballroom on the site of the old East Wing.
Officials say private donors will pay, and the work will not use tax money.

The published donor list includes big tech and finance names, along with wealthy individuals.
Still, reporters found gaps and missing entries that do not appear on the White House list.

A pledge form reviewed by news outlets gave donors the option to hide their names.
That, critics say, explains why some contributions do not appear in public records.

“Donors also have the option to remain anonymous and we will honor that if that’s what they choose,” said a White House aide.

The line came as lawmakers called for a full accounting of who gave what and under which terms. Senate Democrats led by Sen. Adam Schiff demanded a complete list and details on any ties to government business.

Critics did not wait for answers.
“The people’s house is basically being sold to the highest bidder,” one former press official said. “It is corruption at its core.”

White House spokespeople pointed to the nonprofit handling the money. They say donations flow through a trust and that some donors asked to stay private.

Supporters say private funding is common and legal for projects like this. They argue the ballroom will give the White House needed event space without using federal funds.

Ethics experts say the move still poses clear risks. Even legal gifts can create pressure when donors have business before the government, they warn.

Some donors named on the list have ties to contracts and regulators that report directly to federal officials. That overlap is a core worry for those demanding transparency and oversight.

Preservation groups also raised alarms after the sudden demolition of parts of the East Wing. They said the site has historic value and should have seen more public review.

Reporters who dug into the filings found that recognition for donors is likely, though the form is vague.
Some donors may receive naming or other forms of public recognition inside the new space.

Lawmakers signaled possible hearings and subpoenas if the missing names stay secret. They say the public deserves clear facts about who is funding this major change to a national landmark.

For now, the story is a tidy mix of optics and unease.
The White House released some names, but the gaps have focused attention on who remains hidden.

The core question is simple: did private money buy access or only a new room?

Featured image via screengrab