Overview
- The White House released a list of 37 donors to the East Wing ballroom project that included Comcast alongside companies such as Apple and Google, with costs reported at roughly $250–300 million.
- On Monday night, Rachel Maddow criticized Comcast on air for appearing on the donor list and warned of reputational consequences for companies backing the project.
- Lawrence O’Donnell questioned Comcast’s priorities and called the demolition of the East Wing “a unique presidential crime against our history and our culture.”
- Last week, Stephanie Ruhle told viewers that corporations, including “our Comcast,” are underwriting the project and asked why companies would pay without expecting something in return.
- Commentator David Frum argued on MSNBC that donors expect benefits for their contributions, and the network is set to be spun off and rebranded as MS NOW on Nov. 15.