‘They Better Do It Soon Then’: Trump Leverages Tariff Threats to Drive Record Corporate Donations for Inauguration Fund

A new report from Rolling Stone reveals that President-elect Donald Trump is closely monitoring which major corporations are contributing to his inauguration fund, leveraging the power dynamic created by his economic policies and looming tariffs.

American companies are contributing significant sums to Trump’s inaugural committee as he simultaneously threatens to impose major tariffs on foreign goods. For some businesses, securing exceptions to these tariffs could mean the difference between profit and loss. According to Rolling Stone, Trump is acutely aware of this leverage and is reportedly ensuring companies fall in line.

“In the past few weeks, Trump has at times asked close allies about how much major corporations have donated to the inaugural committee, and has sometimes inquired about specific companies by name,” the report states. “Earlier this month, when the president-elect asked about one big-name corporation and was told it hadn’t donated, Trump replied, ‘Well, they better do it soon then.'”

The report highlights how most corporate giants appear to have understood the stakes and are contributing significant amounts, seemingly to avoid being singled out by Trump.

“Some of the top donors include: Amazon ($1 million); AT&T; Bank of America; Charter Communications ($1 million); Coinbase ($1 million); Ford ($1 million); General Motors; Goldman Sachs; Intuit ($1 million); Stanley Black & Decker ($1 million); Toyota ($1 million); and Uber ($1 million, plus another $1 million from its CEO),” notes Rolling Stone. “Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is giving $1 million. The powerful drug lobby Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers, or PhRMA, is kicking in $1 million, as is Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI.”

The report underscores the unprecedented nature of corporate involvement in Trump’s inauguration, with donations from major players in industries ranging from technology to pharmaceuticals. Critics have raised concerns about the implications of this dynamic, suggesting it blurs the line between business interests and political influence.

With Trump taking a hands-on approach to tracking contributions, his inauguration fund has become a reflection of corporate America’s willingness to comply under economic pressure. Whether these contributions translate into tangible benefits for the donors remains to be seen, but the power dynamic at play is unmistakable.