Donald Trump will be inaugurated to his second term as president in ten days, and a massive amount of private money has been raised for the ceremony: 

President-elect Donald Trump has raised more than $170 million for his upcoming inauguration, a record amount as tech executives and big donors have eagerly written large checks to help bankroll the ceremony. 

The private donations collected thus far were confirmed by a person with firsthand knowledge of the fundraising who was not authorized to speak publicly. The person said Trump’s inaugural committee is expected to raise more than $200 million by the end of the effort. 

Trump’s inaugural committee did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday. The committee has not yet detailed how it plans to spend the donations.

[...]

The whopping amount raised thus far by Trump’s presidential inaugural committee is more than double the amount President Joe Biden raised four years ago when he brought in nearly $62 million for his inauguration, according to Federal Election Commission records.

The event will be paid for privately and not involve taxpayer dollars? That's a good thing, right?

Well, not necessarily: 

Of all the "troubling precedents" we've seen over the past few years, this one has to be the least troubling of all.

Taxpayers aren't finding this news very troubling.

DOGE will be pleased!

And Politico would be the first to frame anybody noticing that as "Republicans pounce."