Companies with federal interests back Trump-aligned 250th events
CNBC found 14 companies sponsoring both America250 and Freedom 250 as watchdogs warn donor perks could offer access to Trump.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Major companies with business before the federal government are helping fund Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned effort tied to celebrations of the United States’ 250th anniversary, CNBC reported. The arrangement matters because fundraising materials described donor benefits that included VIP access, private receptions and photo opportunities with President Donald Trump, according to reports.
CNBC said it identified 14 companies listed as supporters of both Freedom 250 and America250, the nonprofit connected to the congressionally created U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The companies are Boeing, Deloitte, Exiger, John Deere, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oracle, Palantir, Phorm Energy, RTX, SAP, Scotts Miracle-Gro, UFC and United Airlines, according to CNBC.
Several of those companies have federal contracts, regulatory matters, merger issues, tax interests or other policy concerns affected by the Trump administration, CNBC reported. CNBC said it found no evidence linking the sponsorships to any government action involving the companies.
Only John Deere responded to CNBC’s request for comment, according to the network. The company said it was eager to celebrate people whose work helped “build power, feed and sustain” the country, but did not answer CNBC’s specific questions about backing both groups.
Access offers draw scrutiny
Freedom 250 fundraising materials first reported by The New York Times laid out sponsorship tiers. The Times reported that donors giving at least $500,000 were offered VIP access, invitations and preferred seating, while a $1 million gift included an invitation to a private reception hosted by Trump and a photo opportunity.
The Times also reported that donors at $2.5 million or more were offered speaking roles at a July 4 event in Washington. Companies giving $10 million or more were offered VIP access to all Freedom 250 events, logo rights, a tailored press release, a July 4 speaking role and a private Trump-hosted reception with a photo opportunity, according to the Times.
Bruce Freed, president and co-founder of the Center for Political Accountability, told CNBC the issue was not corporate sponsorship of a national celebration itself. Freed said the concern was that the event appeared to offer access to the president while some backers had business before his administration.
Freedom 250, America250 and the White House did not respond to CNBC’s requests for comment, according to the network.
Two tracks for the anniversary
America250 grew out of a bipartisan commission Congress created in 2016 to plan the semiquincentennial, CNBC reported. Its work has included civic programs such as student contests, volunteer projects and events around the country.
Freedom 250 developed after Trump returned to office and sought to shape the anniversary around his own programming, according to CNBC. Events associated with the effort include the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, a proposed arch overlooking Washington, an IndyCar race in the capital and a UFC event at the White House.
Congress provided $150 million for the anniversary, but America250 had received $25 million as of early June, according to a report obtained by NOTUS. NOTUS reported that nearly $80 million in anniversary-related grants went to the National Park Foundation for the Trump-aligned effort.
Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee released a report this week accusing Trump and Freedom 250 of misleading sponsors and diverting money, CNBC reported. The National Park Foundation’s president has told Congress that donors who request anonymity will not be disclosed, according to congressional Democrats cited by CNBC.
UFC is one example CNBC cited of the overlap between corporate sponsorship, Trump’s political network and policy interests. ESPN reported that UFC President Dana White, a longtime Trump ally, asked Trump in May to reverse a provision in the “Big Beautiful Bill Act” limiting gambling-loss deductions to 90%; CNBC reported that the provision remains in effect and that it found no evidence UFC’s sponsorship affected government decisions.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.