WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump has announced a massive White House construction project with plans to build a multi-million-dollar ballroom on the historic grounds and he says it won’t cost taxpayers anything.
The White House says the project will be financed through private donations but it’s already facing pushback.
Plans unveiled Thursday show the 90,000 square foot ballroom sitting near the White House’s East Wing.
“It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be. It’ll be, near it, but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building,” said Trump.
President Trump says the new ballroom, with planned capacity for more than 600 people, will be finished by the time he leaves office.
“We’ve been planning it for a long time. They’ve wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years. But there’s never been a president that was good at ballrooms. Really good,” said Trump.
The project is set to begin construction in September at a cost of around $200 million.
“Where does this money come from. Did Congress appropriate it? I don’t think so. It’s almost like DOGE was never about. It was about cutting services to help Trump and his billionaire buddies,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The president says the entire cost will not use any taxpayer dollars.
“It’s a private thing. I’ll do it. And we’ll probably have some donors or whatever,” said Trump.
White house officials say the project isn’t one of vanity but rather practicality.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders in other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building’s entrance,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Previous state dinners have been held under a tent on the property’s South Lawn or inside a ballroom that only fits around 200 people.
“It’ll be a great legacy project, and I think it’ll be special,” said Trump.
The White House hasn’t said how the contractors were chosen for the job. While officials say the construction will be privately funded, its expected security infrastructure to secure the building will be paid for by taxpayers.
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