How a $45 million donation brought Larry Ellison deeper into Trump’s circle

The billionaire’s private friendship with the president has helped Oracle’s business and his son’s media conglomerate

Posted Wednesday, June 24, 2026 10:53 am

Emily Glazer, Annie Linskey and Jessica Toonkel | The Wall Street Journal

Larry Ellison didn’t join the gaggle of CEOs that traveled with President Trump on his state visit to China. He wasn’t among the guests at a White House dinner Trump hosted with tech titans. He also skipped the UFC event on Trump’s 80th birthday.

The Oracle billionaire didn’t need to be at these public events. Ellison, 81 years old, has developed a more private friendship with Trump that has helped his tech company’s business as well as his son’s effort to assemble a media conglomerate. Key to the relationship: Ellison’s money.

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How a $45 million donation brought Larry Ellison deeper into Trump’s circle

The billionaire’s private friendship with the president has helped Oracle’s business and his son’s media conglomerate

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