Sen. Blumenthal Presses for Answers on $400M White House Ballroom, Asks Donors and Architect for Details

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has sent letters to the architect and several guests of an Oct. 15 fundraising dinner tied to a reported $400 million White House ballroom project championed by former President Donald Trump. The senator is seeking more information about who financed the effort, how donations were solicited, and whether any confidentiality agreements restrict disclosure.

The White House released only a partial guest list for the October event. CBS News obtained a more complete roster through separate sources and identified individuals who did not appear on the White House's public list. Blumenthal asked several people on the CBS-obtained list why they chose to donate (or not), how donation amounts were decided, and whether they were offered the option to remain anonymous on the White House-published list.

David Baszucki and Other High-Profile Attendees

Among those named by CBS but not on the White House list was David Baszucki, CEO of the gaming platform Roblox. In his letter to Baszucki, Blumenthal asked the CEO to confirm in writing a reported $5 million donation to the nonprofit supporting the ballroom — a figure that has not been previously confirmed publicly. Blumenthal said Baszucki told him about the donation in a meeting. A Roblox spokesperson said Baszucki gave to the nonprofit in his personal capacity but declined to confirm the amount.

Blumenthal also sent letters to other attendees and invitees, including Trish Duggan; Robert Goldstein, CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp.; Carey Smith, CEO of Parsons Corp.; Dan Gilbert, chairman of Rocket Companies; Steve Rudder; Cliff Sims, a former White House official; John Solomon, editor-in-chief of Just The News; TV host Greta Van Susteren and her husband; and lobbyist Geoff Verhoff. Not all attendees have publicly confirmed donating.

Questions About Process, Contracts and Disclosure

The senator emphasized that many donors may have financial or business interests before the administration and argued that the public is entitled to “all the relevant facts about who is funding the most substantial construction project at the White House in recent history.” Because Senate and House Democrats lack subpoena power while Republicans control key committees, Blumenthal's letters are voluntary information requests rather than compulsory orders.

Architect Inquiry

Blumenthal also wrote to Shalom Baranes, a Washington, D.C.-based architect who was hired in early December after the project’s original designer departed amid public tensions with Mr. Trump. The senator asked Baranes to explain how he became involved, whether he has a contract with the government, whether design plans have been shared, and whether he has signed any nondisclosure or other agreements that would limit his ability to disclose information about the project. The White House has so far declined to provide details about its financial arrangement with Baranes’ firm.

Context: Roblox And Child-Safety Scrutiny

The inquiry into generous donations to a high-profile White House renovation comes as Roblox faces criticism from lawmakers and a wave of state lawsuits alleging the platform exposed minors to inappropriate content. Tennessee filed suit against Roblox recently. The company has announced new child-safety measures and said it devotes "substantial resources" to identifying and removing unacceptable content.

Blumenthal wrote that Americans deserve transparency about who is funding the ballroom and how those contributions were solicited and recorded.

The senator’s letters seek written responses and documentation; they are part of a broader push for transparency around outside financing for major projects at the White House.