"We Need Your Money"...U.S. Embassies Face Backlash Over Aggressive Fundraising Ahead of 250th Founding Anniversary

Overseas Missions in Competitive Begging
for Trump’s “Biggest Party in History” Plan

U.S. diplomatic missions abroad have launched aggressive fundraising drives targeting companies in their host countries to secure money for what President Donald Trump has billed as “the most spectacular 250th anniversary celebration of the founding in history.”

Washington Monument lit up with New Year's Eve lights to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Yonhap News

According to a New York Times (NYT) report on the 15th (local time), U.S. embassies and consulates in Asian countries such as Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong are asking local corporate executives for large donations to fund the founding anniversary events. This comes as the fundraising fever centered on the White House, sparked after President Trump declared last December that it would be “the most spectacular birthday party in world history,” has now spread to overseas missions.

Specific examples have also been made public. On the 5th, Anjani Sinha, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, bluntly proposed donations to corporate leaders at a dinner, saying, “We need your money.” Ambassador Sinha explained that the donations would be used for a founding anniversary rodeo and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and stoked competition by noting that other embassies in Asia had already raised 37 million dollars (about 53.5 billion won).

The U.S. Embassy in Japan, identified as having raised 37 million dollars, is planning a variety of local events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido. Major Japanese corporations including Toyota and SoftBank are participating as sponsors, and some companies are reported to have donated more than 1 million dollars (about 1.4 billion won).

Former diplomats have voiced concern over these practices. Ted Osius, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, criticized the damage to America’s image, saying, “There is currently a sense of competition among ambassadors over who can raise more funds.” Former diplomat Blair Hull likewise pointed out that this is “a departure from the ethical principle that the government does not bow to external pressure.”

The Trump administration is preparing unconventional events at the White House this year to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding, including mixed martial arts (UFC) fights and a large-scale expo in Washington, D.C. However, analysts say that this coercive fundraising approach, which goes beyond the established practice of accepting private donations for Independence Day events, is causing considerable shock even among corporations.