Democratic lawmakers are introducing new legislation that would place stricter rules on donations made to presidential libraries. The proposal follows a series of high-dollar contributions connected to President Donald Trump’s future library, including donations from major corporations and foreign governments.
Warren: Bill seeks to close ‘loopholes‘
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is leading the effort alongside a group of Democrats. The Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act would implement new restrictions on who can donate to presidential libraries, particularly during a president’s term in office.
Lawmakers backing the legislation argue that there are currently no legal barriers preventing companies or foreign entities from making large donations to a sitting president’s library — a practice that Warren says could be perceived as an attempt to influence the executive branch.
“This new bill will close the loopholes that allow presidential libraries to be used as a tool for corruption and bribery,” Warren said. “Slamming the door shut on apparent corruption at the highest levels of government is an important step forward and something everyone should get behind.”
Trump’s library tied to millions in settlements and gifts
The legislative push comes as Trump’s library has received tens of millions of dollars in donations and settlements from high-profile companies.
– Paramount Global paid $16 million to Trump’s library as part of a legal settlement tied to a “60 Minutes” broadcast.
– Disney contributed $15 million following a defamation lawsuit involving ABC News.
– Meta, Facebook’s parent company, gave $22 million in a settlement following Trump’s removal from the platform after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
– X, known as Twitter at the time, donated $10 million to settle a related legal dispute.
In addition, the government of Qatar donated a $400 million Boeing jet to the United States Air Force. The aircraft, intended as a replacement for Air Force One, is expected to eventually be registered as property of Trump’s presidential library once it is retired from official use.
Amid criticism over the aircraft donation, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the arrangement.
“Let’s be very clear — the government of Qatar, the Qatari family, has offered to donate this plane to the United States Air Force, where the donation will be accepted according to all legal and ethical obligations,” Leavitt said.
What the bill would restrict
The proposed legislation would prohibit donations from lobbyists and foreign governments to presidential libraries. It would also cap contributions at $10,000 per individual while a president remains in office. Fundraising for libraries would be barred until the president leaves office, but nonprofits would be exempt from the restriction.
In addition, the bill would require quarterly public disclosures of all donations exceeding $200. It would also ban the personal use of any contributions made to a presidential library.
Clinton library donation scrutinized
Supporters of the new legislation say the goal is to create universal standards that apply to presidents from both parties.
Lawmakers also point to past controversies involving presidential libraries. Former President Bill Clinton faced criticism after pardoning financier Marc Rich, whose wife had donated $450,000 to the Clinton Presidential Library.
