Samsung donated $315,000 to Trump’s 2025 inauguration committee

It's common for major companies, based both in the US and abroad, to make donations to an incoming president's inauguration committee. The longstanding practice is seeing as a signal to align with the new president and the incoming administration.

Data from the Federal Election Commission has revealed that Samsung joined other leading South Korean companies in donating to President Trump's 2025 inauguration committee. It donated $315,000 through its local subsidiary, Samsung Electronics America.

The US president-elect can receive donations under the law from domestic individuals and companies through the inauguration committee. The Federal Election Commission later discloses the details of all donations within 90 days of the inauguration. These funds can be utilized for commemorative projects like libraries or museums after the president-elect's term.

President Trump's 2025 inauguration committee raised a record $239 million in donations which is the highest ever for a US president-elect. Top companies including NVIDIA, Google, Amazon, and Meta each donated $1 million. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million personally.

Samsung had previously donated $100,000 to Trump's first inauguration committee in 2017. It wasn't the only South Korean company to make a donation for the second inauguration. Hyundai Motor donated $1 million through its local subsidiary, while Hanwha made two $500,000 contributions through its US subsidiaries.

The United States is an important market for Samsung and the trade policies that its government implement has a direct impact on the Korean giant. The recent tariff actions have already increased uncertainty for Samsung's semiconductor business and could potentially lead to higher prices for Samsung's mobile and consumer electronics products in the US.

The donation is just one of the measures that Samsung has taken to try and protect its interests. It's also reportedly shaking up its head of public affairs in North America, the person responsible for lobbying the government, with someone who has better ties to Trump's political circle.