Larry Ellison gave Trump an undisclosed $45M as Oracle's business grew

In 2024, Larry Ellison, the co-founder and chairman of Oracle Corporation, gave roughly $45 million to a political nonprofit group supporting Donald Trump's presidential campaign, according to people familiar with the fundraising. The contribution was among the largest single injections of capital in the election cycle. Because the money flowed through a political nonprofit rather than a federal campaign or political-action committee, it was not subject to public disclosure rules and had not been previously reported; Federal Election Commission filings show no funds given by Ellison directly to the Trump campaign or its affiliated committees.

Ellison, one of the wealthiest people in the world, had backed other Republican candidates earlier in the cycle and had urged Trump to choose Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina as his running mate, suggesting that his financial support would hinge on that choice. After Trump instead selected JD Vance and gained momentum in the race, Ellison made the donation. He has since given additional millions to groups supporting Trump, including funds directed to Trump's legacy initiatives in Washington, and Oracle is listed among the corporate sponsors of Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned group organizing events for the country's 250th birthday. The Journal reported that Ellison's relationship with Trump has benefited both Oracle and the media business of his son, David Ellison, who leads Paramount Skydance.