Trump's Big Beautiful…..Gold Ballroom

President Donald Trump, known for his background in development, is leading the creation of a $200 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom that will transform the East Wing of the White House. This ambitious project will create one of the most significant alterations to the historic residence in 100 years.

The new White House State Ballroom will have a seating capacity of 650—more than three times that of the current largest room, the East Room. Construction is expected to start in September and be completed well before the end of Trump’s second term.

The expansion addresses a long-standing issue, as noted by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, of lacking sufficient space for major events. Currently, large functions require a “large and unsightly tent” set about 300 feet from the main entrance, a setup that has frustrated Trump and his predecessors.

At a press conference, Trump remarked, “They’ve wanted a ballroom at the White House for over 150 years, but no president has been great at ballrooms. When hosting big events with international leaders, they’ve always had to rely on tents.”

This ballroom is Trump’s latest attempt to leave a lasting legacy on the iconic White House. Since taking office in January, he has already made several notable changes, including paving over the Rose Garden lawn, pledging to fix a poorly remodeled Lincoln Bedroom bathroom, and installing two massive 88-foot flagpoles flying huge American flags on the north and south lawns.

Trump assured that the project will be privately funded, with no government money involved. The White House confirmed that Trump and other donors will cover the $200 million cost. It remains unclear whether this includes expenses related to relocating offices currently housed in the East Room.

The announcement drew criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, but because private funding is used, congressional opposition may have limited influence.

The administration has engaged with the National Park Service and other agencies to advance the project. Leavitt emphasized that the ballroom will replace the existing, heavily modified East Wing, which will be modernized during construction. The staff, including First Lady Melania Trump, will relocate temporarily.

McCrery Architects will design the new building, Clark Construction will handle the build, and AECOM will provide engineering services. Trump stated the construction will not interfere with the current White House structure, noting it will be nearby but not physically connected.

Leavitt assured that the White House’s historical character will be preserved, highlighting McCrery Architects’ reputation for classical designs. Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, praised his attention to detail and commitment to blending history with modern improvements.

Trump also reflected on his long-standing desire to build a ballroom at the White House. As early as 2011, he had offered to replace the “old broken canvas tent” used for state events, even suggesting to the Obama administration that he could build a ballroom. However, the offer was never taken up.

The White House has undergone five major construction or renovation phases since 1792, including rebuilding after the War of 1812 and a complete overhaul during Harry Truman’s presidency in the early 1950s. The building has seen few major changes since, aside from additions like a swimming pool and basketball court.

Now, Trump hopes this ballroom will be his enduring legacy, calling it “a great legacy project.”

Source: THE WASHINGTON POST