A handful of megadonors helped propel Donald Trump’s presidential campaign to victory earlier this month. Now, some of them are being considered for key positions while forming the next administration.
For decades, top donors have been in the mix for the highest administrative posts, from plum ambassador gigs in tropical locales to Cabinet positions that directly shape White House policy.
And now, as Trump continues to fill his transition and the upper echelons of his administration, some major donors appear to be struggling.
Linda McMahon, a former professional wrestling executive who led Trump’s Small Business Administration in his first term and served as a leader in various pro-Trump groups, is helping to lead his transition. He has donated more than $21 million to help Trump’s campaign this election cycle — more than $20 million to Make America Great Again Inc. to a super PAC and another $937,800 to his campaign and related joint fundraising committees.
(These numbers cover the period covered by the most recent federal campaign filings through Oct. 16. New filings in December will show the full picture of donations through Election Day.)
Howard Lutnick, McMahon’s transition co-chair, gave more than $400,000 to the Trump campaign and related committees, plus another $6 million to MAGA Inc. Trump announced Tuesday that Lutnik was his pick to lead the Commerce Department.
Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright, Trump’s energy secretary nominee, gave more than $235,000 to the campaign and related committees.
The two candidates in the running for Treasury secretary have another thing in common – megadonor status.
Scott Bessent, Trump’s top fundraiser, was in the mix to lead the Treasury Department, giving more than $1 million to MAGA Inc. and more to Trump’s campaign and related committees, two sources familiar with the process told NBC News. Donated $676,500.
Billionaire Mark Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, gave $1 million True for AmericaA pro-Trump super PAC. Trump’s advisers reported this week to the Wall Street Journal discussed him As a possible option for the treasury post.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the billionaire Trump tapped to co-lead efforts to reduce federal spendingFirst, the super PAC spent heavily to help Trump get into office by creating America PAC. Organizing the field to boost Trump. A super PAC also ran Controversial program that gave out a $1 million check To state voters who signed Musk’s petition. By mid-October, Musk had given the group more than $118.5 million.
Ike Perlmutter, the billionaire who previously headed Marvel Entertainment and who advises Trump on veterans issues during the first administration and his wife sent 25 million dollars to America by October 16.
Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who served as his top adviser in his first term, gave more than $851,000 to the campaign and its committees. (His father, Charles Kushner, Pardoned by Trumpgave the same amount, plus another $1.2 million to a pro-Trump super PAC).
Of course, it will end in the Trump administration away from every major donor.
After Musk, two other megadonors surpassed $100 million in donations to pro-Trump groups: businessman Tim Mellon (who gave at least $150 million) and casino magnate Miriam Adelson, wife of the late GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson, owner of the Dallas Mavericks. According to the most recent public figures, he gave almost $101 million.
Hallie Jackson and Garrett Haake contributed.