$250m and counting: inauguration sets fundraising record

Washington: US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House is accompanied by unprecedented fundraising achievements, amassing $250 million for his inaugural celebrations, according to sources close to Trump’s fundraising efforts who spoke with ABC News.

The combined total encompasses funds from the official Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee and various other fundraising entities organising the weekend’s inaugural events, significantly exceeding his previous inaugural fundraising of $107 million.

According to ABC News reports, Trump’s second inauguration has garnered substantial backing from prominent technology industry leaders who are openly supporting his White House return. Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Shou Chew and Jeff Bezos were initially slated for privileged seating at the ceremony.

Significant technological sector contributions include $1 million each from Meta, Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Uber. Notably, this marks Meta’s inaugural contribution to a presidential inauguration, whilst Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft have previously supported presidential inaugurations.