President Trump: New White House Ballroom Moving Faster Than Expected

Donald J. Trump says construction on the new White House ballroom is not only fully funded through private support but is also progressing ahead of schedule — marking what could become the most significant architectural expansion of the executive residence in modern history.

In a post on Truth Social, the current President of the United States shared a newly released rendering of the redesigned East Wing from the rear of the property, outlining his broader vision for how the space will serve future administrations.

“When completed, it will be the finest Ballroom ever built anywhere in the World, one that has been sought by Presidents for over 150 years — and now they are getting THE BEST! Because of its unprecedented structural, safety, and security features, it will also be used for future Presidential Inaugurations,” Trump wrote.

A Historic Expansion of the East Wing

The historic East Wing was demolished last October to make way for the new facility. The rebuilt structure will span roughly 89,000 square feet and center around a 22,000-square-foot grand banquet hall — expected to be one of the largest dining and event spaces in Washington, D.C., according to Bloomberg.

The ballroom will feature two levels. One will house offices and a private screening room, while the other will serve as the main banquet hall. The exterior will be constructed using stone and precast concrete, designed to blend with the classical aesthetic of the White House complex.

In addition to the ballroom, the updated East Wing will include a new movie theater and office space for First Lady Melania Trump and her staff.

A Venue for Future Inaugurations

For more than a century, presidential inaugurations have traditionally taken place at the U.S. Capitol. President Trump has proposed shifting future inaugurations to the new ballroom once completed, citing enhanced structural integrity, modern security standards, and expanded capacity.

The ballroom is widely expected to become the largest structural addition to the White House since the Oval Office itself — a defining feature of executive authority.

The need for such a space, according to Trump, stems from practical reality: major White House events are currently held outdoors under temporary tents, leaving them vulnerable to weather disruptions and logistical challenges.

Private Funding, Not Taxpayer Dollars

Originally projected at $200 million, the cost of the ballroom rose to $400 million. During a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Dec. 17, the president addressed the revised budget directly.

“We’re donating a $400 million ballroom,” Trump said during a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Tuesday, Dec. 17, according to footage shared by C-SPAN. “Myself and donors are giving them, free of charge, for nothing.”

The Trump administration has emphasized that the project is being financed through private donations, arguing that it protects taxpayers while delivering a long-overdue modernization of the executive complex.

However, the funding structure is now at the center of a legal challenge.

Legal Battle May Head to the Supreme Court

Richard Leon, a U.S. District Judge, is currently reviewing a lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which claims that such a significant addition to a federally protected historic site requires explicit congressional authorization.

Judge Leon has indicated that he expects to issue a decision soon, though he has also acknowledged that whichever side prevails, the case is likely to be appealed — potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.

The administration maintains that the Department of the Interior has clear legal authority to accept private gifts benefiting the White House and notes that Congress previously approved modifications to the complex. Congressional Democrats, by contrast, argue that the funding mechanism “exploits gaps in federal disclosure rules that Congress should tighten.”

Architectural Leadership

Earlier this winter, President Trump appointed a new lead architect for the project.

“Trump has selected Shalom Baranes to replace James McCrery II as the chief architect of the planned 90,000-square-foot, gilded ballroom, the White House has now confirmed,” Newsweek reported.

Shalom Baranes Associates, founded in 1981, has designed several prominent federal structures in Washington, including the Treasury Department building, the headquarters of the General Services Administration, and the national headquarters of the American Red Cross.

Satellite imagery has already captured visible demolition activity at the East Wing site, underscoring the scale of the undertaking. Once completed, the addition will nearly double the size of the White House complex — a bold statement of permanence, prestige, and executive authority.

For supporters, the project represents a privately funded investment in American history. For critics, it raises constitutional and procedural questions that may soon be answered at the highest levels of the judiciary.

Either way, President Trump’s ballroom is no longer a proposal — it is becoming a reality.