Crypto Titans Help Fund Trump’s $300M White House Ballroom

Some of the biggest names in the crypto and tech worlds are helping fund President Donald Trump’s new White House ballroom. Founders of major crypto firms like Ripple, Coinbase, Tether, and Gemini’s Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have joined a growing list of donors supporting the massive project. They stand alongside tech giants such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Comcast.

White House Ballroom Project Sparks Excitement and Controversy

The White House first announced plans for the new ballroom in July, describing it as a grand addition to America’s most famous home. The 90,000-square-foot structure is expected to seat up to 650 guests and cost around $300 million. 

Construction began in September 2025 and has already stirred both excitement and controversy. Reportedly, the ballroom’s funding comes from private donations rather than public money. 

However, the decision to demolish part of the East Wing to make room for the project has drawn criticism. Questions have also been raised about how the administration handled the process and who exactly contributed to the funding.

White House Pushes Back Against Critics

In response to growing backlash, the White House released a fiery statement defending the project. It described the criticism as the latest instance of manufactured outrage. 

The statement accused the media and political opponents of trying to undermine what it called President Trump’s visionary addition to the White House.

Supporters argue that the ballroom represents a modern upgrade to the nation’s capital and a symbol of private partnership. Critics, on the other hand, view it as an unnecessary show of wealth and influence.

Adding to the week’s drama, President Trump issued a controversial pardon for former Binance CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao. Zhao had served four months in prison after pleading guilty to failing to maintain proper anti-money laundering controls at his exchange. 

The pardon sparked debate about Trump’s growing closeness to the crypto industry and its key figures. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Trump said the decision came after many people vouched for Zhao’s integrity. He insisted that Zhao was not guilty of anything.

Trump Strengthens Ties with the Crypto Industry

Trump’s relationship with the crypto world is not new. Over the past year, he has received several donations from major crypto players. In August, Gemini founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss donated 18 Bitcoins, worth millions of dollars, to a pro-Trump political action committee. 

Earlier in the year, Circle, Ripple, and Coinbase contributed funds to Trump’s inaugural committee. The crypto industry also played a key role in the 2024 presidential elections. 

Groups like Fairshake raised millions of dollars to support candidates favorable to digital assets. That spending helped shape what many call the most pro-crypto Congress in U.S. history. The new Congress appears to have Trump’s full support.