Fourteen companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and United Airlines are backing both America250 and Freedom 250, the two organizations planning the United States' semiquincentennial celebrations, according to a CNBC analysis of online sponsor listings. The dual sponsorship structure raises concerns among watchdogs because several companies have major business before the federal government, including defense contracts, technology contracts, regulatory interests, and merger considerations shaped by the Trump administration. Freedom 250, the Trump-backed public-private partnership, has received nearly $80 million in grants while the congressionally created America250 received only $25 million as of early June, and the Trump-aligned effort offers tiered sponsorship packages that include VIP access, speaking roles, and private receptions with President Donald Trump for contributions ranging from $500,000 to $10 million or more.
Fourteen Companies Sponsor Both Anniversary Organizations
The companies listed online as backing both America250 and Freedom 250 are Boeing, Deloitte, Exiger, John Deere, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oracle, Palantir, Phorm Energy, RTX, SAP, Scotts Miracle-Gro, UFC, and United Airlines, according to the CNBC analysis. Of those companies, only John Deere responded to a CNBC request for comment, stating it was eager to celebrate the people whose work helped "build power, feed and sustain" the United States, but did not address specific questions about its sponsorship of both organizations. CNBC did not find any evidence of a connection between the Freedom 250 sponsorships and the companies' dealings with the administration.
Bruce Freed, president and co-founder of the Center for Political Accountability, told CNBC that "the concern is not that companies are sponsoring a national celebration. The concern is that this celebration appears to offer access to the president while some of those companies have business before his administration." Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee released a report this week criticizing the president and Freedom 250, accusing it of diverting funds and misleading sponsors.
Freedom 250 Offers Tiered Access Packages to Corporate Sponsors
Freedom 250 fundraising materials first reported by The New York Times described tiered sponsorship packages with specific benefits. Donors giving at least $500,000 were offered VIP access, invitations, and preferred seating at events, according to the Times report. A $1 million contribution came with an invitation to a private "thank you" reception hosted by Trump and a photo opportunity, and donors giving $2.5 million or more were offered speaking roles at a July 4 event in Washington, the Times reported.
For $10 million or more, companies got VIP access to all Freedom 250 events, logo rights, a tailored press release, a July 4 speaking role, and a private Trump-hosted reception with a photo opportunity, according to the Times report. Matt Dallek, a political historian at George Washington University, told CNBC that "for a million bucks, you get a meet and greet with the president, and what we've seen is when you get in the room with Donald Trump, it tends to be very beneficial for your business."
UFC helped stage a Freedom 250 mixed martial arts event at the White House during Trump's birthday weekend. UFC President Dana White, a longtime Trump ally, sent Trump a letter asking him to reverse a provision in the "Big Beautiful Bill Act" that capped gambling-loss deductions at 90%, ESPN reported. That provision is still in effect. UFC declined to comment on its listing on the Freedom 250 and America250 sites.
Freedom 250 Receives $80 Million While America250 Gets $25 Million
Congress set aside $150 million for the anniversary, but America250 had received only $25 million as of early June, according to a report obtained by Washington, D.C.-based digital news outlet NOTUS. The Trump-aligned Freedom 250 effort has received far more: nearly $80 million in 250th-related grants to the National Park Foundation, NOTUS first reported.
America250 grew out of a bipartisan commission Congress created in 2016 to plan the country's 250th anniversary, with work focused on civic programming including student contests, volunteer initiatives, and events around the country. Freedom 250 emerged after Trump returned to office and sought to put his own stamp on the anniversary. When Trump announced the effort on social media in December, he promised "the most spectacular birthday party you've ever seen."
America250 publicly lists dozens of sponsors, while Freedom 250 has referred to some backers as "strategic partners." The National Park Foundation's president has told Congress that donors who request anonymity will not be disclosed, according to congressional Democrats. According to NASA employee sources and materials reviewed by CNBC, a department-wide NASA email sent in June encouraged employees to shop the Freedom 250 store, and the link resolved to the Trump campaign website.
Great American State Fair Faces Operational Problems and State Withdrawals
The Great American State Fair on the National Mall was billed as a 16-day centerpiece of the celebration. At least eight states, most led by Democratic governors, declined to participate officially, citing exhibit costs ranging from $100,000 to $1 million and concerns about the event's partisan tone, according to media reports.
The fair has faced sparse crowds, power outages, an intermittently broken Ferris wheel, and a model triumphal arch whose covering had begun to buckle, according to media reports. Several artists, including Martina McBride, Young MC, the Commodores, and Bret Michaels, pulled out after being announced or associated with Freedom 250 events, with some stating they had been misled about the partisan nature of the celebration. Trump responded by suggesting in a Truth Social post the concerts be replaced with a "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY" and later moved to headline the fair's opening himself.
FAQ
Which companies are sponsoring both America250 and Freedom 250?
The 14 companies listed online as backing both organizations are Boeing, Deloitte, Exiger, John Deere, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Oracle, Palantir, Phorm Energy, RTX, SAP, Scotts Miracle-Gro, UFC, and United Airlines, according to a CNBC analysis. Only John Deere responded to CNBC's request for comment, and CNBC did not find any evidence of a connection between the Freedom 250 sponsorships and the companies' dealings with the administration.
What benefits do Freedom 250 sponsors receive for their contributions?
Freedom 250 fundraising materials first reported by The New York Times show that donors giving at least $500,000 receive VIP access, invitations, and preferred seating at events. A $1 million contribution includes an invitation to a private reception hosted by Trump and a photo opportunity, while $2.5 million or more offers speaking roles at a July 4 event. For $10 million or more, companies get VIP access to all Freedom 250 events, logo rights, a tailored press release, a July 4 speaking role, and a private Trump-hosted reception with a photo opportunity.
How much funding has each anniversary organization received?
Congress set aside $150 million for the anniversary, but America250 had received only $25 million as of early June, according to a report obtained by NOTUS. Freedom 250, the Trump-aligned effort, has received nearly $80 million in 250th-related grants to the National Park Foundation, NOTUS first reported.
