NEW YORK _ Donald Trump is keeping the names of the people and companies donating millions of dollars to his inauguration festivities next week secret �� a break from Republican and Democratic predecessors in the White House.
At least the last three presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, disclosed the names of donors before they were sworn into office .
A federal law passed during the Bush administration required presidents to reveal names of contributors, but only 90 days after the inauguration.
"It is all about access and influence," said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for the nonpartisan public advocacy group Public Citizen. "Donations come in very large amounts and from those who almost always want something from the new administration."
Occidental Petroleum, one of Clinton's donors, for example, settled a price-fixing case with the Energy Department after Clinton took office. AT&T, one of Obama's donors, lobbied for regulatory approval of a merger with T-Mobile.
Trump's decision doesn't surprise those who have watched him hire or appoint donors and lobbyists for positions and appointments, and advocate for secrecy.
He did not release the names of so-called bundlers who raised thousands of dollars for him from friends, acquaintances and associates. He did not release his tax returns, a common practice for presidential nominees for four decades. Some of his nominees to be Cabinet secretaries have delayed providing background materials before their confirmation hearings. And in recent days, he has threatened to investigate how journalists received classified information.
John Wonderlich, executive director for the Sunlight Foundation, which advocates more openness in government, called Trump one of the most secretive candidates in modern history. "This trend is continuing through the pre-presidency and likely the presidency," he said.
Trump is expected to raise about $90 million from people and corporations to pay for days of activities, including receptions, balls and the parade surrounding the inauguration Friday. Governments will spend millions more on the swearing-in ceremony, security, construction and cleanup.
Trump's inaugural committee, like those of previous presidents, is offering special events and housing that includes access to Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence and their families in exchange for six-figure donations.
For $100,000, donors will receive two tickets for dinner and a policy discussion with some Cabinet appointees. For $250,000, there are two tickets to a lunch with women of the first family. For $1 million, there are four tickets to a lunch featuring Cabinet appointees and congressional leaders, and four tickets to a dinner with Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen.
Trump named a longtime friend, Tom Barrack, a California a private-equity real estate investor, to head his inaugural committee. Members include wealthy donors or Republican loyalists, including Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets; casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam; and Wisconsin businesswoman Diane Hendricks.
A spokesman for the committee did not return a request for comment.
A person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Trump's team considered whether to release the names of donors and decided that disclosing the names early would produce multiple headlines instead of just one when they are required to be released by law.
The government puts no limit on contributions, though Trump's committee said it would not accept any money from registered lobbyists. Previous presidents have put some limits on the people who could donate and how much they could give.
For at least 24 years, presidents have identified inaugural donors but varied on what additional information they provided.
In 1993, Clinton disclosed many names before his inauguration, though the public didn't learn how much they contributed for three years. Four years later, Clinton pledged disclosure by March 31.
In 2001 and 2005, Bush disclosed before his inaugurations the names of his donors, their home cities and the amounts they gave.
In 2009, Obama disclosed names, employers and states of residence for donors, along with the amounts of contributions. Four years later, he released only the names with no further identifying information.
The Center for Responsive Politics has long advocated for Congress to pass a law requiring more timely disclosure and limits on the types of donors and the size of their donations.
"Congress says contributions to candidates should be limited," said Bob Biersack, a senior fellow for the group. "Those same principles should apply inaugurals."
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ESTIMATES OF HOW MUCH MONEY PRESIDENTS RAISED FOR INAUGURATIONS
Barack Obama, 2009, $53 million; 2012, $44 million.
George W. Bush, 2005, $42.3 million; 2001, $30 million.
Bill Clinton, 1997, $29 million; 1993, $25 million-$30 million.
George H. W. Bush, 1989, $30 million.
Ronald Reagan, 1985, $20 million; 1981, $16.3 million.
Jimmy Carter, 1977, $3.5 million.
Richard Nixon, 1973, $4 million.
Source: Congressional Research Service
