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President Donald Trump on Thursday announced plans for a dramatic expansion to the White House complex: a $200 million, privately funded state ballroom set to begin construction in September.
The 90,000-square-foot facility — which will replace the current East Wing structure — is designed to accommodate up to 650 seated guests, more than triple the East Room’s current capacity of 200, according to a statement from the White House.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet it is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main entrance,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said during a Thursday briefing. “The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition.”
President Trump said the idea has been in the works “for a long time” and emphasized that the new structure will respect the existing architecture.
“It won’t interfere with the current building,” Trump told reporters. “It’ll be near it, but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of.”
According to the administration’s release, the ballroom will feature “innately designed and carefully crafted space” with architecture closely resembling the current Executive Mansion. The East Wing site — originally constructed in 1902 and renovated extensively since — will be replaced, though the White House emphasized the addition will be “substantially separated” from the main residence.
Design and construction will be led by McCrery Architects, Clark Construction, and engineering firm AECOM. The White House has not disclosed the full list of private donors or the criteria used to select the design team.
Officials said Trump has held planning meetings with the National Park Service, White House Military Office, and the Secret Service in recent weeks to finalize design and logistics.
The announcement drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who questioned the funding source and the decision-making process.
“Where’d this money come from? Did Congress appropriate it? I don’t think so,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
While the project is expected to be paid for entirely with private funds, the lack of transparency has fueled speculation about donor influence and government oversight.
This is not the first time Trump has led aesthetic changes to the White House grounds. During his first term, First Lady Melania Trump spearheaded a controversial renovation of the Rose Garden, which this year was further modified with the addition of concrete slabs over the once-lush garden space.
As construction nears, the ballroom plan marks the most significant structural addition to the White House complex in decades — and one that is likely to remain a point of contention between the administration and its critics.
