Private donations don’t give a president a blank check.

Trump argues privately donated money means he doesn’t need Congress’ approval for his $400 million White House ballroom. Federal judges have disagreed, but the Supreme Court has put that judgment on hold temporarily.

Here’s why “patriotic” donations still come with legal strings attached:
https://theconversation.com/is-it-illegal-for-the-president-to-spend-patriotic-donations-on-a-white-house-ballroom-or-anything-else-290107