White House NPS and Trust for National Mall sign secret 14-page ballroom funding contract

The White House, National Park Service, and Trust for the National Mall sign a 14-page "Philanthropic Support Agreement" governing hundreds of millions of dollars in private donations for the White House ballroom and East Wing overhaul. The contract is kept secret from the public and is not disclosed until a federal court orders it in April 2026. It permits donors to remain anonymous, explicitly excludes the White House from conflict-of-interest review requirements that apply to the Park Service and Interior Department, and grants the Trust a 2.5% administrative fee on funds raised (dropping to 2% above $200 million). The White House identifies potential donors on behalf of the National Park Service and refers them to the Trust. Dozens of known donors — including Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, and Booz Allen Hamilton — hold billions in federal contracts and can contribute anonymously under the agreement.