Trump’s Fundraising Empire Where Access And Favors Follow The Money

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – During his political campaigns, President Donald Trump has often been seen on camera describing himself as “very greedy,” stating, “My whole life I’ve been greedy, greedy, greedy. I’ve grabbed all the money I can get.” Of course, making the pitch to his followers, he followed it with the idea he would be “greedy for the United States” when elected.

In office, Donald Trump has erased the border between lobbying and bribery even as his administration insists no such line has been crossed.

An investigation by The New York Times found that six Indian origin Americans or the companies they.

The report also documents presidential pardons for several donors who had been found guilty and were serving jail sentences, underscoring the transactional nature of the fundraising effort.

The NYT reports that the Trump Presidency set up multiple avenues to collect donations. The largest of these is MAGA Inc, a super PAC that raises and spends money to support Trump and allied causes. Additional money has been raised for other Trump-aligned entities, including America250, which is organizing events to mark 250 years of US independence.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella donated $3.5 million. In return, he was invited to Trump’s swearing in ceremony and granted regular access through private dinners. Microsoft also benefited from administration policies that restricted US states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence regulations, easing the company’s compliance burden.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai donated $1.2 million. The administration later settled a lawsuit Trump had personally brought against Google after the company agreed to contribute $24.5 million toward Trump’s ballroom project, ending a legal dispute that had hung over the company.

Anjani Sinha, a Bihari orthopedic surgeon, emerged as a major non tech donor. Considered unqualified for the job, a donation earned the office of the US ambassador to Singapore, despite objections raised during confirmation hearings.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen donated $1 million. He received direct access to Trump, including invitations to private dinners and overseas trips, placing him among a small circle of corporate executives with personal reach to the president.

Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra donated $1 million. Micron benefited from Trump administration policies strongly favoring domestic chipmakers, including public backing and regulatory decisions that aligned closely with the company’s business interests.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna donated $750,000. Like other top tech donors, he received privileged access to the president through exclusive events and meetings unavailable to non donors.

The New York Times found nearly 200 high level donors received tangible benefits such as pardons, dropped or softened legal action, favorable policy decisions, government contracts, or senior appointments.

The Trump administration has denied any quid pro quo, but the investigation highlights the unprecedented scale of post inauguration fundraising and the repeated alignment between large donations and presidential action.

(Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)