Larry Ellison Deepens Ties with Trump Through $45 Million Political Donation

Larry Ellison, Oracle's billionaire co-founder, has strengthened his personal and political relationship with former President Donald Trump through substantial financial support, despite not attending several high-profile Trump events. Ellison, 81, donated approximately $45 million to a nonprofit political organization backing Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, a contribution not previously disclosed due to reporting exemptions. Since the election, Ellison has contributed additional millions to groups supporting Trump’s initiatives in Washington, including the Freedom 250 organization, which celebrates America's 250th anniversary and counts Oracle as a corporate sponsor.

Ellison's family has cultivated a symbiotic relationship with Trump, sharing ideological views such as support for Israel and criticism of mainstream media. His son, David Ellison, recently completed an $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery through his company Paramount Skydance, expanding the family's media empire to include CBS News and CNN. Trump has publicly praised David Ellison’s business success, signaling close ties between the families.

Larry Ellison’s influence extends beyond donations; Oracle was selected to provide cloud infrastructure for a $500 billion government AI data center initiative launched shortly after Trump’s 2025 inauguration. Ellison’s proximity to Trump is underscored by his Florida estate near Mar-a-Lago and frequent visits there. The relationship was reportedly facilitated by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and strengthened over a decade, initially supporting other Republican candidates before backing Trump.

David Ellison’s Paramount faced regulatory hurdles merging with CBS and later competing to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, with Trump remaining officially neutral despite private discussions about potential changes to CNN. The Department of Justice approved the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition in 2025 after resolving regulatory concerns. The Ellisons’ political and business maneuvers illustrate a deepening alliance with Trump, blending technology, media, and political influence.

Despite earlier support for other candidates, Larry Ellison shifted fully behind Trump in 2024, with his donations among the largest single infusions of capital into the campaign. The Ellison family’s growing media holdings and Oracle’s government contracts highlight their expanding role in shaping American political and technological landscapes.