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The Big Story

Trump hosts ballroom donors at White House

President Trump on Wednesday hosted a dinner for donors helping to fund the cost of a planned White House ballroom, including leaders of major businesses.

Trump held an event in the East Room that featured representatives from Microsoft, Google, Palantir and other companies, as well as wealthy figures such as Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman and Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

“We have a lot of legends in the room tonight, and that’s why we’re here to celebrate you, because you gave, given tremendous amounts of money to see a ballroom for the first time at the White House,” Trump said.

The president at one point opened the curtains in the East Room to display the view of where the ballroom will be constructed.

“The White House for 150 years-plus, they wanted to have a ballroom, and it never happened because they didn’t have a real estate person,” Trump said.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the list of attendees for the dinner.

The White House in August announced plans for a $200 million ballroom adjacent to the East Wing.

The space is expected to have a seated capacity of 650 people and would host State Dinners and other major events. White House officials have said the cost will be covered by donations, rather than taxpayers.

Read more here.

Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter, I’m Sylvan Lane — covering the intersection of Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

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Essential Reads

Key business and economic news with implications this week and beyond:

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President Trump said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him that India would stop buying Russian oil, a potentially significant move to further pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine.

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In Other News

Branch out with more stories from the day:

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Good to Know

Business and economic news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

Tariff costs to companies this year to hit $1.2 trillion, with consumers taking most of the hit, S&P says (CNBC)
China’s Rare Earth Restrictions Aim to Beat U.S. at Its Own Game (NYT)

What People Think

Opinions related to business and economic issues submitted to The Hill:

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!

Trump courts ballroom donors

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Trump hosts ballroom donors at White House

Paul Klee

Michael Parkes

Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Trump hosts ballroom donors at White House

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