 Barack Obama: Hollywood stars donate bucks for inauguration party
Stars of Hollywood including Halle Berry and Steven Spielberg and top notch hi-tech giants like Google and Microsoft are opening their wallets to increase fund for the inauguration party of Barack Obama.
Sources have thrown more light on the news of Barack Obama’s party. In keeping with his vow to remove US politics of influence peddling, he has given the order that the names of all inauguration donors, which were withheld by previous presidents, should be published on the internet.
Lists of those stumping up for the inauguration on January 20 show that Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate, individually donate maximum 50,000 dollars.
Actress Halle Berry, listed as working for her Bumper Inc. production company, also contributed 50,000 dollars. Comedian and actor Jamie Foxx also did the same.
Barack Obama's inauguration fund also attracted big contributions from tycoons of the US Internet and software industry.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who served on campaign economic advisory board of Barack Obama, donated 25,000 dollars. Also Google co-founder Larry Page and Google vice president Marissa Mayer followed the same footstep.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft and his wife, Connie gave 50,000 dollars each.
Former basketball star and businessman Earvin "Magic" Johnson also gave 25,000 dollars and five members of the family of billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros racked up 250,000 dollars between them.
The fund is required to pay for the long list of balls and other commemorative events on and around inauguration day. Big money donors can expect special ticket privileges and VIP access to events.
In contrast with previous inaugural committees, committee that was set up for Barack Obama has already said that it is not going to accept contributions from corporations, political action committees, labor unions, registered lobbyists or non-US citizens. |
News / Gossips by jonathaneuphonium
