Trump's Inauguration Fundraising Hits Record $107 Million, Art World Donors Among Top Contributors
A 500-page report filed on April 18, 2017, with the Federal Election Commission reveals that Donald Trump's Inauguration Day fundraising reached $107 million, a record surpassing Barack Obama's $53 million in 2009. Major donors include art world figures: collector and financier Steven Cohen gave $1 million; former Iranian ambassador Hushang Ansary, a key funder of Islamic art at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, donated $2 million; and Henry Kravis, husband of MoMA president Marie-Josée Kravis, contributed $1 million. The largest single donation of $5 million came from casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. While Trump's committee claimed excess funds went to charity, no proof was provided. The report highlights the contrast between U.S. campaign finance practices and Italy's public funding model, and the tension between artists' protests against Trump's policies and wealthy collectors' support.
Key facts
- Trump's Inauguration Day fundraising raised $107 million, a record.
- Obama's 2009 inauguration raised $53 million with a $50,000 donation limit.
- Sheldon Adelson donated $5 million, the largest single contribution.
- Steven Cohen donated $1 million; he bought Willem de Kooning's Woman III for $137.5 million in 2006.
- Hushang Ansary donated $2 million; he funded Islamic art at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.
- Henry Kravis donated $1 million; his wife Marie-Josée Kravis is president of MoMA.
- The 500-page report was filed with the Federal Election Commission on April 18, 2017.
- Trump's committee claimed post-Inauguration Day donations went to charity, but no verification was provided.
Entities
Artists
- Willem de Kooning
Institutions
- Federal Election Commission
- Houston Museum of Fine Arts
- MoMA
- New York Times
- Artribune
Locations
- United States
- Italy