Senior Democrat Elizabeth Warren has demanded a future Department of Justice investigation into the private funding of a lavish new ballroom at the White House, branding the project a 'golden crime scene' that raises profound corruption concerns.
'Follow the Money': Calls for a Federal Investigation
In a stark statement to The Guardian, Senator Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate banking committee, insisted the next independent justice department 'should investigate' the stream of private donations financing the construction. She urged authorities to 'follow the money' to determine if any crimes were committed in the process.
Highlighting the legal timeframe for action, Warren pointed out that 'the statute of limitations is five years for federal bribery charges', suggesting a future probe could still be viable. This call for scrutiny comes after the administration revealed a list of corporate donors for the project, which now carries a staggering $300m price tag.
The Donors and the 'Pay-to-Play' Concerns
The list of companies that have contributed reads like a who's who of corporate America. It includes tech behemoths such as Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google. Defence contractors Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and Palantir are also named, alongside telecommunications giants T-Mobile and Comcast.
The situation has alarmed ethics experts, as many of these donating companies are already in business with the administration, relying on significant government contracts or hoping for favourable legal treatment. Their financial contributions could afford them outsized influence or preferential treatment from the White House.
Last month, President Trump hosted a dinner for company representatives and billionaire individuals who made significant contributions, further fuelling concerns about access and influence.
Legislative Action and Political Hurdles
In response, Senator Warren co-sponsored a new bill this week with Congressman Robert Garcia, the ranking member on the House oversight committee. The proposed Stop Ballroom Bribery Act aims to impose strict donation restrictions on the project, which involved the demolition of the entire East Wing of the White House on 23 October 2025.
'The highest office in the land should never be for sale, nor should it ever appear to be,' said Virginia Canter of Democracy Defenders Action. Warren echoed this, stating her bill would 'put an end to what looks like bribery in plain sight.'
The legislation proposes a ban on conflict-of-interest donations, a two-year 'cooling off' period before a donor can lobby the government, and requires donor disclosure of meetings with federal officials. Its scope extends beyond the White House to the vice-president's residence, Camp David, and Air Force One.
However, the bill faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled chambers and is unlikely to pass. This legislative effort is the latest move by Democrats to uncover the specifics of the ballroom's funding, following a letter Warren sent last month to the Trust for the National Mall, the non-profit managing donations, which she accused of being a vehicle for 'influence peddling'.
