US Edition$250M White House Ballroom Project Grows in Scope and Raises Concerns
The $250 million project funded by private donors will add a 90,000-square-foot ballroom seating 650, replacing temporary tents for state events, officials said.
- On Oct. 21, 2025, a demolition crew dismantled portions of the East Wing facade as part of preparations for a privately funded $250 million state ballroom on the White House grounds.
- The White House said the project is privately funded, with Trump and donors covering costs and a $22,000,000 settlement from Alphabet supporting construction through the Trust for the National Mall.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged officials Tuesday to pause demolition until review, warning the 90,000-square-foot annex could overwhelm the 55,000-square-foot White House.
- Public access has been suspended for about two months, with First Lady Melania Trump’s office moved and East Wing staff relocated to the China Room and Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
- Online backlash intensified as Gavin Newsom, California governor, and Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, condemned the work while House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rapid Response 47 defended it, and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., wrote `Some metaphors just write themselves`.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Trump's White House Ballroom Sparks Questions About Funding and Ethics
Q: Is President Donald Trump paying in full for the new ballroom at the White House, and what is the cost? A: The White House said Trump and “other patriot donors” would pay for the ballroom, which the president estimated would cost $250 million. So far, $200 million has been pledged, according to the White House, which did not say how much the president would donate. Democratic leaders and ethics experts have questioned the project and what inf…
Trump Rips 'Third Rate Reporter' Over Demolition Question
President Donald Trump slammed Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason as a “third-rate reporter” on Wednesday, after Mason asked the president to respond to critics who have said “you haven’t been transparent enough about” the demolition of the East Wing in order to make room for a new ballroom. Trump ripped Mason in front of other reporters and on live TV while taking questions at the White House. “I haven’t been transparent? Really?” Tru…
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