Moroun Donation to Trump PAC Sparks Scrutiny Amid Bridge Dispute
Matthew Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge, donated $1 million to MAGA Inc., a political action committee supporting former President Donald Trump, in January 2026. This contribution came less than a month before Trump publicly threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a competing span between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, raising questions about potential influence and the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. And Canada.
Background: The Bridge Dispute
The Moroun family, which has owned the Ambassador Bridge for decades, has consistently opposed the construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge. The new bridge is expected to divert traffic – and toll revenue – from the Ambassador Bridge, impacting the Moroun family’s business interests. The Gordie Howe bridge is a more than $6-billion project funded by the Canadian government.
Trump’s Threat and Timing
Despite previous support from the Trump administration for the Gordie Howe Bridge – evidenced by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security rule designating it as a port of entry on January 30, 2026 – Trump threatened to prevent its opening on February 9, 2026, unless Canada offered concessions. This threat was delivered via a social media post and followed a meeting between Moroun and a member of Trump’s cabinet, according to reporting by The New York Times.
Moroun’s Political Contributions
Moroun has a history of supporting Trump and the Republican Party. In the 2020 election cycle, he donated $600,000 to Trump Victory, a PAC. He has also contributed over $1.2 million to the Republican National Committee since Trump first took office, including a $250,000 donation in the summer of 2025.
Lobbying Efforts
The company operating the Ambassador Bridge has also invested heavily in lobbying efforts, including $250,000 spent on a Trump-connected lobbying firm since August 2025.
Current Status
As of February 23, 2026, neither Moroun nor MAGA Inc. Have responded to requests for comment regarding the donation and its potential connection to Trump’s threat concerning the Gordie Howe Bridge. The situation continues to escalate tensions between the U.S. And Canada as their trade dispute approaches its one-year mark.
About Matthew Maddock
Matthew Maddock is an American businessman and politician currently serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 51st district since 2023. He previously represented the 44th district from 2019 to 2022. Maddock is a member of the Republican Party and was reelected in 2024. He was briefly expelled from the Republican caucus in April 2022 but was readmitted in January 2023.