A group of Democratic lawmakers is pushing for new legislation aimed at closing loopholes that currently permit unlimited and undisclosed donations to presidential libraries. The proposed measure, titled the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act of 2025, comes in response to significant financial settlements involving President Donald Trump that have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Notably, both Paramount Global and Disney have agreed to pay $16 million each to Trump, with a large portion of these funds allocated for his future presidential library. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a leading advocate of the bill, has characterized these settlements as a form of bribery, suggesting they might be designed to secure favorable treatment from the Trump administration regarding business deals, specifically mentioning the Skydance Media agreement.
In addition to the corporate settlements from Paramount and Disney, Democrats pointed out other monetary arrangements involving Trump, including a $25 million agreement from Meta to resolve a lawsuit concerning Trump’s social media bans, and a $10 million settlement from Elon Musk’s X. Notably, Warren highlighted a $400 million luxury jet donation from Qatar, which Trump plans to add to his library, further inflating the potential size of funds flowing into it.
Warren emphasized the critical need for accountability, stating that the integrity of presidential libraries should be preserved by ensuring they serve as true monuments to history, rather than tools for corporate influence or foreign interference. She cautioned against the implications of foreign nationals and corporations making significant financial contributions to a library while a president is in office, articulating the fundamental question of whom the government represents.
The Democratic lawmakers believe the bill could face challenges in the Republican-controlled Congress, as GOP members have remained largely supportive of Trump. No Republican senators have expressed backing for the bill yet, and skepticism remains about its passage in the House.
Key provisions of the proposed legislation include limiting fundraising activities until after a president leaves office, imposing contribution caps for certain organizations, and mandating transparency through quarterly disclosures of donations to the National Archives. Furthermore, it seeks to prevent individual benefits derived from library donations and restricts donations from entities with potential interests in presidential actions.
The initiative has garnered support from numerous watchdog organizations, advocating for greater transparency and reduced corruption within the realm of presidential libraries.
This legislation, if passed, could set a precedent for accountability and integrity in presidential funding practices, ensuring that future libraries are funded in a manner that serves the public interest. The hope is that this bill will revive ethical standards in political contributions, reinforcing the principle that public office should not be influenced by private interests.