SoftBank Confirms $50 Million Donation to Trump Library Before Lease Deal Announcement

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), released a response from SoftBank Group (SoftBank) confirming that SoftBank donated $50 million to President Trump’s Presidential Library fund. The response revealed that this donation occurred in January 2026, just two months prior to the Trump administration’s announcement of a significant land lease deal for a SoftBank data center in March 2026. This timeline has raised concerns regarding potential corruption and whether the donation was intended to secure favorable treatment from the Trump administration. SoftBank is noted as one of the largest investors in the AI sector and has reportedly benefited from subsequent actions following their donation, including President Trump’s decision to weaken a June 2026 executive order regulating the AI industry. Senator Warren questioned the timing of the donation and the lease deal, stating, "Are we expected to believe it’s a coincidence that two months after SoftBank donated $50 million to the Trump library, his administration announced a massive lease deal for SoftBank’s data center?" This investigation by Senators Warren, Blumenthal, and Representative Stansbury also included inquiries directed at SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son regarding the motivations behind the donation and any potential promises made by the Trump administration in return. Senator Warren has been vocal in her efforts to prevent the Trump family from utilizing the Trump Presidential Library for potentially corrupt arrangements.