Trump has reeled in more than $200 million since election day

Since his victory in November, President-elect Donald Trump’s allies have raised well over $200 million for a constellation of groups that will fund his inauguration, his political operation and eventually his presidential library, according to four people involved in the fundraising.

It is a staggering sum that underscores efforts by donors and corporate interests to curry favor with Trump before a second presidential term after a number of business leaders denounced him after the violence by his supporters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump has promised to gut the “deep state” and made various promises to industry supporters. Among the pledged donors for the inaugural events are Pfizer, OpenAI, Amazon and Meta, along with cryptocurrency firms.

The total haul for the committee financing his inaugural festivities — at least $150 million raised, with more expected — will eclipse the record-setting $107 million raised for his 2017 inauguration, according to three people briefed on the matter who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal financial information.

Other committees benefiting from the fundraising blitz include a super political action committee called Make America Great Again Inc. and its associated nonprofit group, which is expected to be used by Trump’s team to back his agenda and candidates who support it, while opposing dissenters.

Trump has boasted about the haul, telling people during the Christmas holiday season that he had raised more than $200 million since the election. Trump’s team has repeatedly noted how many people have wanted to find ways to donate to him since his election win.

David Tamasi, a lobbyist who has raised money for Trump, dismissed a suggestion that corporate interests were giving to avoid Trump’s wrath, although he acknowledged that some donors may be trying to atone for having previously maintained distance from Trump.

Inaugural committees can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and corporations, but not foreign nationals. Major corporations that try to avoid partisan politics have long donated to inaugural funds to signal a willingness to work with new administrations and support for the democratic transfer of power, regardless of the incoming president’s party.

But there is cross-pollination among top fundraisers for Trump’s inauguration and his political efforts, including several partners at lobbying firms that represent major corporate interests. Raising money for the inauguration can help lobbyists secure access for clients, and cachet for themselves with the incoming administration.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

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