Inaugural committee offers a chance at tickets

Make a minimum donation of $5 to the Presidential Inaugural Committee and get a shot at a ticket to the historic inauguration of Barack Obama ... or is that a minimum donation of $25? ... or maybe no donation at all?

Each entry requires an essay on what the inauguration means to you. The essay is required whether a donation is made or not, committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass said.

The offer of inaugural tickets to 10 people who each may bring one guest will take into account diversity, she said, adding that fundraising is not the main goal of the effort.

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The inaugural committee sent out an e-mail pitch that focused on donations, however, suggesting that those who make a minimum donation of $5 or more could get a trip to the inaugural.

"Make a donation of $5 or more right now," the e-mail says. "You and a guest could receive your ticket to history."

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

After clicking on the link to make a donation, the donation options start at $25, going up to $2,500, with an "other" option at the end. And the Web page also says that you can make a pitch for the inaugural tickets without donating anything.

"Unlike past inaugurations, this year's event will not be paid for by Washington lobbyists," the e-mail says. "The Presidential Inaugural Committee is not accepting donations from PACs, federally registered lobbyists, or corporations. Help start this administration off right — independent of the special interest donors who have shaped Washington for too long."

For those selected, the committee will provide transportation and lodging, the swearing-in and admission to an official inaugural ball.