- Donald Trump Wishes for Ballroom Set to Commence
- Construction to Begin by September
- Structure will span about 90,000 square feet
The United States government has confirmed plans to construct a new $200 million ballroom at the White House which has been a long-held ambition of President Donald Trump.
According to a statement from the White House on Thursday, monitored by Eko Hot Blog, the project will be financed entirely through private donations, including personal contributions from President Trump and other unnamed donors. Work on the new facility is scheduled to commence in September.
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The ballroom will be built alongside a modernised East Wing of the White House, which currently houses the offices of First Lady Melania Trump and other senior staff. The project is expected to be completed well before the end of Trump’s second term in January 2029.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the expansion as a “much-needed and exquisite addition” that will enhance the capacity for official functions. Once completed, the structure will span about 90,000 square feet and accommodate up to 650 guests which is more than triple the size of the East Room, currently the largest event space in the White House.
Leavitt explained that the new facility would eliminate the need for temporary event tents, often erected on the White House grounds for large gatherings such as state dinners and diplomatic receptions. Trump has frequently criticised the use of tents, calling them unsightly and inadequate for high-profile events.
Speaking at an event on Thursday, President Trump said, “We’ve always had to get tents for these events, and it’s a disaster. I’m good at building things. This will be a beautiful ballroom.”
He also mentioned that he had previously offered to fund a ballroom back in 2016 during Barack Obama’s administration, pledging $100 million for the project. The proposal, however, was not accepted at the time.
“I could take the ballroom from my resort and drop it right into the White House grounds it would be perfect,” Trump joked earlier this week while meeting with European Council President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland.
Chief of Staff Susie Wiles assured Americans that the administration would work closely with historical preservation bodies to ensure that the new construction respects the legacy and historical integrity of the White House.
“The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to preserving the history of this iconic residence, even as we modernise it for future generations,” Wiles stated.
Preliminary renderings show the ballroom will match the architectural style of the White House, featuring elaborate interior designs, chandeliers, and classical columns.
Leslie Greene Bowman, a long-serving member of the White House Preservation Committee, noted that while changes to the building are not new, they must be handled with care.
“I hope and trust that any changes will honour the original structure. These walls hold the stories of American democracy,” she said.
During construction, offices currently situated in the East Wing — including that of the First Lady will be temporarily relocated.
This ballroom is the latest in a series of aesthetic and structural changes President Trump has made to the White House. Previous alterations under his leadership include the paving over of the historic Rose Garden, the installation of massive flagpoles, and the addition of gold-themed decor in the Oval Office.
With work set to begin in September, observers say the ballroom could become one of the most visible architectural legacies of Trump’s presidency.
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