Major donors must now contribute $1 million for access to Trump and Vance, doubling the previous cost
This hefty price tag gets them two tickets to a dinner with Vance and six tickets to a special “candlelight dinner” where Trump will be present. It’s a big jump from the previous inauguration, where access was just $500,000.
The surge in donation amounts shows how much more people want to be in Trump’s good graces after a contentious election. Many wealthy donors were waiting to see how things would shake out before jumping in.
With Trump set to return to the White House, those with business interests are stepping up their donations. The inaugural committee has already raised over $170 million and expects to hit $200 million, meaning they’ve got plenty of funds to cover all the events planned.
One official even suggested that it might be smarter for donors to give to Trump-friendly political action committees instead of the inaugural committee. Smaller donations just won’t cut it anymore.
There are five different donation tiers, starting from $50,000 up to $1 million. But even at the top tier, access isn’t as good as it was during Trump’s first inauguration.
The “candlelight dinner” is a fancy black-tie event at the National Building Museum, and the vice-president’s dinner is a more intimate gathering at the National Gallery of Art. However, there’s no longer a “leadership luncheon” like there was before, which means less opportunity for face time with key figures.
To really get in with Trump’s circle, donors might want to check out private parties hosted by his allies. Events are being organized by folks like Donald Trump Jr.’s friends and other prominent figures in Trump’s orbit.
For those who can’t swing the big bucks, there’s still a chance to meet cabinet officials with a $50,000 donation, which is actually cheaper than it was in 2017. So, it’s a mixed bag for donors this time around.
