The Trump administration has introduced an array of incentives for donors to give money ahead of his inauguration on January 20, offering VIP packages to the highest-paying benefactors, including a candlelight dinner with the incoming president and first lady for those who donate in millions.
While general tickets to inauguration ceremonies are free, they are typically limited and in high demand. These circumstances make the practice of giving high-dollar donors access to inauguration events not entirely unusual, as former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden handed out access to their own swearing-in celebrations over the last decade. Yet, the scope of the expected donor ship and benefits in this particular case may be surprising.
According to a copy of the “Trump Vance Inaugural Committee Benefits” prospectus obtained by Axios, the Trump team has introduced a set of perks for considerable donors over the Jan. 20 weekend, with packages starting at $50,000. Donors who either give $50,000 or raise $100,000 get two tickets to a rally and reception scheduled for the Saturday before the inauguration, as well as hotel rooms and invites to the swearing-in ceremony, parade and evening ball.
The benefits, which were first reported by the New York Times, include up to six tickets to eight different events between Jan. 17 and the Inauguration Day.
However, only the highest-paying donors who give either give $1 million or raise $2 million will get two seats to a Jan. 18 dinner with Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, according to the flier.
In 2017, the Trump inaugural team raised more than $90 million from private donors, who were paying steep prices to gain access to Trump and his inner circle, putting that sum toward covering the tab of the event, for which cost estimates ranged from $175 million to $200 million.
