Big Tech poised to reap AI beneifts after supporting ballroom project
JANUARY 15, 2026 This week, we take a long look at the intersection of Big Tech, the White House ballroom project, AI and the potential for new government contracts. Plus, civil rights groups are increasing their lobbying expenditures while President Trump makes sweeping changes race-related policies. Trump ballroom donors poised to benefit from AI plan they helped shape Eight days before the White House announced plans to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom for state dinners and special events, President Donald Trump launched his AI Action Plan , a sweeping effort with more than 90 federal policy actions to accelerate artificial intelligence development across the U.S. government and American businesses. The plan included executive orders aimed at easing permitting for massive data centers , expanding federal support for AI exports and reducing regulatory barriers for a tech industry racing to scale. When Trump publicly...