Inaugural Committee: $107 Million Raised, Federal Investigations Into Corruption

Overview

Trump's 2017 inaugural committee raised $107 million — more than double any previous inauguration in U.S. history. A significant portion came from corporations and lobbyists seeking access to the new administration. Some came from individuals with undisclosed foreign government connections.

The committee's fundraising chair was later indicted for acting as a UAE foreign agent through his committee activities. He was acquitted.

The Money

Presidential inaugurations are not federally funded. Committees raise private money to cover the costs of the ceremony and events, and any surplus may be donated to charity or used for the transition. $107 million is a remarkable sum for an event that had previously cost $53 million at its most expensive.

The surplus — after events — was substantial. Investigators questioned whether it was appropriately used.

The Access Model

Gordon Sondland donated $1 million to the inaugural committee. He was subsequently appointed Ambassador to the European Union with no diplomatic experience. He later testified in the impeachment proceedings about a quid pro quo with Ukraine and said "everyone was in the loop."

The Sondland appointment documented how inaugural donations translated into access and positions. He was not alone — multiple major donors received ambassadorial appointments.

The Foreign Money

Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. political activities. Investigators found evidence that individuals with ties to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar had channeled money through U.S.-citizen intermediaries. The SDNY investigation was partly focused on this.

The Barrack indictment alleged that the coordination with UAE went further: that he had shaped Trump's public statements and policy positions in exchange for UAE interests. The jury found the prosecution had not proven this beyond a reasonable doubt.