Lobbying Filings Reveal What Companies Paid for Trump's Freedom 250

Federal lobbying filings have revealed the first documented contribution amounts from major corporations to Freedom 250 LLC, the organization behind many of former President Donald Trump’s 250th-anniversary celebrations. The entity, which has not publicly disclosed sponsorship amounts, received multimillion-dollar payments from Chevron, United Airlines, and RTX, according to newly filed reports.

Chevron disclosed contributing $5 million to Freedom 250 on May 28. United Airlines reported giving $2.5 million on March 10, while RTX, formerly Raytheon Technologies, provided $1.5 million on May 29. The disclosures were required because these companies are registered federal lobbying organizations and must report certain expenditures involving covered federal officials.

The revelations come as reporting from *The Wall Street Journal* details Trump’s extensive corporate fundraising efforts since returning to office. The Journal found that Trump personally oversees a fundraising operation that has collected over $800 million from corporations, much of which flows through entities not required to disclose donors or contribution amounts. Freedom 250 LLC is among these nonprofits, alongside groups like the political “dark money” organization Securing American Greatness and the nonprofit behind Trump’s proposed White House ballroom.

Chevron’s $5 million contribution ranks just below the top tier of Freedom 250’s five-tier sponsorship structure. The company has significant business ties to Venezuela, a relationship that shifted under Trump’s administration. In 2025, Trump revoked Chevron’s license to produce and export oil in Venezuela shortly after taking office, then restored a limited license in May of that year, followed by a fuller authorization in July. In February 2025, the Treasury Department granted Chevron and four European energy firms broader new licenses. Chevron also donated $2 million to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee in December 2024.

RTX’s $1.5 million payment followed by one day a public threat from Trump, who posted on Truth Social that the company, formerly known as Raytheon, was "the least responsive to the needs" of the Pentagon. Trump warned that RTX would "no longer be doing business" with the Defense Department unless it accelerated weapons production and halted stock buybacks. By February, RTX had signed framework agreements with the Pentagon, committing to increased production of Tomahawk, AMRAAM, and standard missile munitions. The company has since secured major contracts, including an $8.4 billion missile defense deal in March and work related to Trump’s "Golden Dome" missile shield initiative.

United Airlines contributed $2.5 million to Freedom 250 on March 10. CEO Scott Kirby has personally lobbied the administration to designate United’s Newark hub as a slot-controlled "Level 3" airport, a move that would strengthen the airline’s dominance in the region. The Federal Aviation Administration has taken steps in that direction and extended waivers allowing incumbent carriers, including United, to retain slots at LaGuardia, JFK, and Reagan National through 2028. United has also joined other major airlines in pushing the Department of Transportation to reverse Biden-era rules requiring compensation for flight delays and improved handling of damaged wheelchairs, both of which were rolled back under Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

The lobbying filings show that United also donated $450,000 to the Obama Foundation and $500,000 to the Kennedy Center, which Trump took over in 2025, installing himself as chairman.

Other companies listed as Freedom 250 sponsors, including Boeing, Deloitte, Palantir, ExxonMobil, UnitedHealth Group, and Lockheed Martin, are registered lobbying organizations that filed mid-year LD-203 reports but did not disclose contributions to Freedom 250. The *Wall Street Journal* reported that Lockheed provided more than $10 million in late 2025 and early 2026 "related to America's 250th anniversary and infrastructure projects." Trump reportedly told a private audience that Lockheed agreed to pay roughly $5 million toward a new White House helipad.

The Journal’s investigation also identified other sponsors whose contribution amounts remain undisclosed. TikTok gave roughly $2 million, while Oracle and ExxonMobil each donated more than $1 million, according to individuals familiar with the donations.