2. Bill Clinton’s First
Inauguration
1993
Bill Clinton’s inaugural
committee raised more than
$42 million for his inauguration
in 1993 – although the event
only cost $33 million (the
remainder was used to help pay
for his second inauguration.)
The event’s fundraising became
synonymous with scandal
when, three years after the fact,
names of donors were finally
released and two Indonesian
businessmen who were at the
center of investigations into
Democratic Party campaign
finance wrongdoings were on
the list (both men were later
convicted of campaign finance
violations). Photo: Smithsonian.

3. Bill Clinton’s Second
Inauguration
1997
Because of the backlash
over the fundraising for Bill
Clinton’s first
inauguration, he pledged
full disclosure of the
names of all donors by
March 31, 1997 (we
weren’t able to find the
data anywhere.) Clinton
also limited donors to
giving just $100. Having an
estimated $9 million left
over from 1993 helped the
cause. (Photo:
Smithsonian)