Donald Trump launches $250 million White House ballroom project amid government shutdown
Despite a historic budget paralysis in the United States, Donald Trump officially launched on Monday an unprecedented construction project: the creation of a new presidential ballroom inside the White House. Estimated at $250 million, the project marks the most significant architectural transformation of the building in more than a century.
While 750,000 federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave for three weeks due to the government shutdown — caused by a budget impasse between Republicans and Democrats — bulldozers began demolishing part of the East Wing of the iconic residence. It is there that, by 2027, a monumental ballroom will rise, designed to embody, in Trump’s words, “the restored grandeur of the White House.”
On his platform Truth Social, the American president declared: “I am pleased to announce that construction has begun at the White House for the new, grand, and magnificent ballroom. It will be the most beautiful in the world.”
A ballroom “funded by private money”
According to Donald Trump, the project will be entirely financed by private funds, coming from what he described as “generous patriots and great American companies.” Last week, a lavish dinner at the White House gathered several billionaires and CEOs of major corporations — including representatives from Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Palantir, and defense giant Lockheed Martin — to thank the project’s key donors.
Blueprints revealed by U.S. media show a building with immaculate white façades and tall arched windows, covering more than 8,000 square meters (86,000 sq. ft.). The ballroom is expected to host up to 1,000 guests for state dinners, official galas, and diplomatic ceremonies.
The president stated that the new structure will replace the current East Wing, traditionally occupied by the first lady’s offices. Trump assured that the renovated area will be “completely modernized and more beautiful than ever.”
A White House inspired by Mar-a-Lago
Since returning to power, Donald Trump has sought to leave his personal mark on the White House. The Oval Office has already been redecorated with gold accents, and two massive American flags now stand prominently on the South Lawn. Inspired by his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the president aims to give the seat of American power a touch of opulent classicism, consistent with his image as a businessman and builder.
However, this ambitious project comes at a politically sensitive time. In Washington, many Democrats have criticized what they call an “indecent” initiative, given that millions of Americans are affected by the government shutdown. Others see in it a clear effort by Trump to cement his aesthetic and political legacy within the history of the U.S. presidency.
One thing is certain: not since Theodore Roosevelt, who added the West Wing in 1902, has a president undertaken such a sweeping transformation of America’s most powerful symbol.
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