Trump Changes Architect For White House Ballroom
President Donald Trump has made a decisive shift in the White House’s most ambitious construction project in decades, replacing the chief architect overseeing the massive new White House ballroom — a signature addition he has repeatedly described as essential for restoring presidential hospitality and American prestige.
The new ballroom, projected to be the largest structural expansion of the White House since the Oval Office itself, is intended to solve a longstanding problem: major events still require outdoor tents, leaving official gatherings exposed to unpredictable weather. President Trump has argued that a permanent, state-of-the-art venue is both practical and fitting for the nation’s executive residence.
According to Newsweek, “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.”
White House spokesperson David Ingle praised the decision, saying: “Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nation’s capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project.”
The scale of the ballroom is monumental — nearly doubling the entire footprint of the White House complex. Newsweek also noted that recent satellite images show visible demolition activity as the project advances, underscoring the administration’s commitment to delivering the facility at a rapid pace.
Shalom Baranes Associates, founded in 1981, has led high-profile federal projects across Washington, including the Treasury Department’s main building, the General Services Administration’s headquarters, and the American Red Cross national headquarters.
Ingle emphasized the importance of this new phase of construction, stating: “As we begin to transition into the next stage of development on the White House Ballroom, the administration is excited to share that the highly talented Shalom Baranes has joined the team of experts to carry out President Trump’s vision on building what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office–the White House Ballroom.”
Americans visiting the White House have already taken notice of the ongoing work. Kevin Heins, a retired military and law-enforcement veteran, told Newsweek: “The tour was a little bit shorter, but I think in the long run, with the extension of the ballroom, I think it’s going to be a good thing because you won’t have to wait outside in tents for events and all that.
“I just think that, with our country, we should have something nice to host events at the White House,” he added.
The president has also addressed renewed media scrutiny over the ballroom’s price tag. Initially projected at $200 million, the estimate later climbed to $300 million — prompting a predictable round of criticism from legacy outlets.
Trump, ever the seasoned builder, dismissed the uproar. When CNN’s Kaitlan Collins pressed him about the rising cost, he responded sharply.
“Caitlin Collins of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago,” the president wrote on social media. “I said because it is going to be double the size, and the quality of finishes and interiors has been brought to the highest level.
“Also, the column SPAN has been substantially increased for purposes of viewing. It is actually under budget and ahead of schedule, as my jobs always are,” he added.
Trump further clarified that the expanded scope — “much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned” — explains the updated estimate. He also dispelled a common media talking point, highlighting that the ballroom doesn’t rely on federal funding.
“Interestingly and seldom reported, there are no taxpayer dollars involved. It is being fully paid for by private donations,” he said.
When completed, the new ballroom will encompass about 90,000 square feet — dwarfing the approximately 55,000-square-foot White House residence (not counting the West Wing). Early estimates suggested seating for about 650 guests, though President Trump has since said the final capacity will likely be closer to 1,000, fitting for a president known for drawing record-setting crowds.