U.S. President Donald Trump is set to fulfill plans to build a $200 million ballroom at the White House, a project he has repeatedly touted since before taking office.
President Trump has long voiced frustration over the White House’s lack of a grand ballroom suitable for large gatherings.
“There’s never been a president that’s good at ballrooms,” he said at a Thursday press event. I’m good at building things.”
He criticised the current use of temporary tents for major events, calling them “a disaster” and “not a pretty sight.”
The White House confirmed this on on Thursday, saying that construction would begin in September, with Trump and unnamed private donors funding the project entirely.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the upcoming structure as a “much-needed and exquisite addition” to the executive mansion.
The White House said that architectural renderings show a structure aligned with the building’s historic style, complete with chandeliers, ornate columns, and marble finishes preserving its historic integrity.
Chief of Staff Susie Wiles emphasised that the Trump administration was “committed to preserving the White House’s legacy while creating a beautiful addition for future presidents.”
The new ballroom would eliminate the need for large and unsightly tents during state dinners and major events, which could only seat about 200 people in the current East Room.
Trump’s ballroom ambition dates back to 2016 when he famously offered to donate $100 million to build one during the Obama administration.
The proposal was rejected at the time, with then-White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest dismissing it as inappropriate.
The construction is expected to conclude “long before” the end of Trump’s current term in January 2029. Temporary offices in the East Wing, including Melania Trump’s, will be relocated for the duration of the construction ¹ ² ³.
According to preservation expert Leslie Bowman, who has advised four U.S. presidents, “The White House has a history of expansion to accommodate the changing needs of the nation’s chief executive.
” I hope and trust that any proposed changes will honor and preserve the existing walls that have witnessed so much history. ”
