President Donald Trump has announced plans to build a $200 million ballroom at the White House, one of the largest construction projects at the executive mansion in over a century. The ballroom, which will span more than 90,000 square feet and seat 650 people, is intended to replace the temporary tents currently used for state dinners. Trump, who made his fortune in construction, said the project would be funded by himself and unspecified donors.
The ballroom will be built to the east of the main White House building, replacing the East Wing that houses the first lady's offices. A model shows a white structure with tall windows, reminiscent of the main edifice. Construction is set to begin in September and is expected to be completed before the end of Trump's second term in January 2029.
Trump defended the project, stating that the White House has needed a ballroom for more than 150 years but previous presidents were not skilled at building. He emphasised that the new structure would be separate from the existing building and would pay total respect to it. However, critics have voiced concerns. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer quipped that he does not need a $200 million ballroom to eat a cheeseburger, while commentators have described the renovation as a metaphor for Trump's approach to democracy.
The ballroom project is part of a wider overhaul of the White House, which has included gilding the Oval Office, paving over part of the Rose Garden, and erecting towering flagpoles. Trump has also plans to remodel the bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom. Some preservationists have drawn parallels to the criticism faced by Harry Truman when he oversaw major renovations in the 1940s and 1950s.
