Trump's $250 Million Ballroom: A Controversial Addition to the White House

Wed Oct 22 2025 03:35:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Construction has commenced on President Trump's extravagant $250 million ballroom at the White House, raising eyebrows over its funding and the demolition of the East Wing.

President Trump has initiated the construction of a grand $250 million ballroom on the White House grounds, designed to host up to 999 guests. This ambitious project involves the demolition of part of the East Wing, despite earlier claims to the contrary. While Trump asserts that the funding will come from private donations, with a notable contribution from YouTube, questions about transparency and the project's necessity linger.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Construction has begun this week on President Trump's $250 million ballroom at the White House, with crews currently demolishing parts of the East Wing to make room for the new space.

The project aims to create a grand venue capable of accommodating up to 999 guests, nearly doubling the capacity of the existing East Room.

Trump has assured the public that the ballroom will be funded entirely through private donations from individuals and corporations, stating, No taxpayers' money will be spent on this project. Notable contributions include $22 million from YouTube as part of a 2021 lawsuit settlement with Trump.

However, many question the necessity of such an extravagant venue and the fact that part of the East Wing, long considered a historic part of the White House, will be demolished. The East Wing serves as the social hub of the White House, and earlier statements claimed it would remain intact during the project.

Despite opposition, Trump has stated that he believes the White House needs a larger entertaining space, voicing discontent with past practices of hosting state events outdoors in tents.

Funding and Demolition Concerns

While Trump declares that external contributions will cover the ballroom's costs, the White House has not provided a full list of donors, leading to transparency concerns.

The demolition of the East Wing has sparked criticism as Trump initially claimed no part of the White House would be altered. Trump's team now justifies the need for the demolition as part of a necessary modernization to accommodate the new ballroom, although many see this as a major alteration of White House history.

Implications of the New Ballroom

Construction is touted to be completed before Trump's second term concludes in January 2029, making this a key cornerstone project aimed at enhancing the prestige of the current administration.

As work progresses, the focus remains on whether this project truly serves the public interest or merely reflects the personal ambitions of its proponent.