Trump's Freedom 250 draws corporate sponsors with business before his administration

Companies with major federal interests — including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Oracle — are sponsoring Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned effort celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Fundraising pitches for the event offer high-dollar donors significant access to the president, including private receptions and photo opportunities, according to reports. Although CNBC did not find any evidence of a connection between the sponsorships and the companies' dealings with the administration, the funding structure has watchdogs warning of a new avenue for corporate America to buy influence and navigate power in Washington.

On the National Mall this week, Freedom 250 signs pointed visitors toward temporary state pavilions, a Ferris wheel and mobile, transitory history exhibits. Sponsor names appeared beside Trump -aligned programming. Some states were represented by official delegations. Others had opted out , leaving replacement displays or stripped-down booths in their place. As the country prepares to mark its semiquincentennial , or 250th birthday, the splashiest celebrations in Washington are being shaped by corporate money. A CNBC analysis found 14 companies backing both America250 , the nonprofit supporting the congressionally created U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, and Freedom 250, the Trump -backed public-private partnership behind some of the administration's most visible anniversary events. The companies listed online as backing both are: Boeing , Deloitte, Exiger, John Deere , Lockheed Martin , Northrop Grumman , Oracle , Palantir , Phorm Energy, RTX SAP , Sc...