Trump defends higher ballroom costs, targets less than $400 million
Trump said the ballroom will cost less than $400 million as Republicans propose $1 billion for security upgrades tied to the White House project.
- On Wednesday, President Donald Trump defended the rising cost of his planned White House ballroom, stating the project will cost less than $400 million because it is "far higher quality" than originally planned.
- Trump previously insisted private donors would fund the project, but Senate Republicans recently proposed legislation allocating $1 billion in taxpayer funding for security upgrades linked to the East Wing modernization.
- Recent polling shows 56 percent of Americans oppose replacing the East Wing for the ballroom, while only 28 percent support it, making the project broadly unpopular among voters.
- Democratic Senator Dick Durbin criticized the move as a "vanity project" while Americans struggle financially, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans prioritize the ballroom over family needs.
- Supporters argue the funding is justified by national security needs following the April shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, including "aboveground and belowground security features" for the compound.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Insider admits Trump soothes himself at night by gabbing about his ballroom
President Donald Trump soothes himself after a stressful day in the Oval Office by bending the ear of the construction manager of his massive ballroom project, according to a new report.Despite the ongoing war in Iran and a resulting surge in fuel prices, as well as backlash to his immigration crack...
Omaha World-Herald
President defends rising cost of ballroom project
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump defended the rising cost estimates for his planned ballroom Wednesday, saying the cost of the massive building at the White House complex would still be less than $400 million.
Trump’s White House Ballroom Keeps Growing in Size and Cost
An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, D.C. —Eric Lee—Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump is defending the growing cost of his White House ballroom project after estimated costs to complete its construction have nearly doubled.In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged that the construction project’s price tag has gone up from around $200 million to “so…
President Trump defends rising ballroom costs
The president defends the new estimated cost of around $400 million for his White House ballroom, while Senate Republicans are trying to tack on $1 billion in taxpayer funds for “security enhancements” for the project.
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