President Trump announced a $200 million project to build a 90,000-square-foot White House State Ballroom, replacing the East Wing, to host large-scale events like state dinners for up to 650 guests.
The ballroom, designed by McCrery Architects with Clark Construction and AECOM, will feature gold chandeliers, Corinthian columns, and a coffered ceiling, mimicking Trump’s Mar-a-Lago style. Trump and undisclosed private donors will fully fund the project, ensuring no taxpayer money is used, though the donor list remains anonymous. Construction is set to begin in September 2025 and is expected to be completed well before Trump’s term ends in January 2029. The White House touts the ballroom as a “much-needed” addition to eliminate the use of “unsightly” tents on the South Lawn for large events.
Supporters, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, praise Trump’s vision, calling it a “great legacy project” that preserves the White House’s historic elegance. Critics, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, question the funding source and lack of congressional approval, with some calling it an extravagant flex of wealth. Preservationists, including Richard Longstreth, worry the massive project could harm the White House’s historic integrity due to insufficient checks and balances. Government ethics expert Kathleen Clark called the lack of donor transparency “completely outrageous,” suspecting donors may seek favor with Trump. Despite the controversy, Trump defends the project as a necessary upgrade, emphasizing his expertise as a builder to create a lasting addition to “the People’s House.”
We want to ask you, the reader: do you support the addition of a ballroom to the White House? Answer in our poll below and comment your thoughts on the ballroom proposal.
If you cannot see the poll, click here.
