Trump Defends White House Ballroom During Site Tour

President Donald Trump on Tuesday led reporters through a construction site at the White House, promoting a controversial ballroom project he said would serve as both a secure facility and a privately funded “gift” to the American public.

Get today's headlines by email

Speaking above the sound of drills and construction equipment, Trump described the development — which began with the demolition of the building’s East Wing — as a structure designed to protect the presidential residence and future occupants.

“This is a shield that protects everything that's inside, everything that's on top,” he said, adding that he believed it would become “the safest building ever built.”

Holding poster-board illustrations of the proposed design, Trump outlined plans for an extensive underground complex beneath the ballroom. According to the president, the facility will extend six storeys below ground and include a military hospital, research facilities and meeting rooms.

Security features, he said, would include “impenetrable steel” and reinforced windows about four inches thick.

Trump also said the roof would have what he described as “massive drone capacity,” functioning as a “drone port” that could help protect Washington, D.C.. The White House later declined to provide additional details on how such a system would operate, referring questions back to Trump’s remarks.

Legal challenge continues

The project has been the subject of an ongoing legal dispute.

In March, a federal judge ruled that the administration could not proceed with construction of the ballroom itself without approval from United States Congress, although security-related work could continue.

An appeals court later allowed construction on the project to continue temporarily while it reviews the case. A hearing is scheduled for 5 June.

During the tour, Trump argued that the entire structure should be viewed as a single integrated building rather than separate elements.

“The roof goes with the ground floor; the ground floor goes with the roof,” he said. “The roof also goes down into the basement. Everything is connected — elevators, heating, air conditioning. It’s one building.”

Funding claims and political debate

Trump also repeated his claim that the ballroom itself would not be funded by taxpayers.

“All of this was paid for by myself,” he said. “We are making a gift of this. This is a gift. This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer.”

The president has said he is among those contributing financially to the project but has not disclosed how much he has personally donated.

The White House has previously said it intends to raise funds for the ballroom through private donations. The estimated cost of the project has risen to about $400 million.

Trump described the building as a major addition to the capital, saying it would become “one of the most beautiful buildings” in the country.

The issue has also drawn attention on Capitol Hill, where some Republican lawmakers have proposed a $1bn funding package for security improvements, with part of the money potentially directed to the building project.

Democrats have criticised the proposal.

Trump, however, insisted that congressional funds would only relate to security.

“Congress is approving money for security,” he said. “But this building — I put up the money to build this building, along with a lot of great patriots.”

Project under scrutiny

The ballroom plan has prompted debate over presidential authority to alter the historic presidential residence.

While supporters argue the additional space and security features would modernise the complex, critics say major structural changes should require explicit approval from Congress.

The appeals court’s forthcoming hearing is expected to determine whether construction can continue while the broader legal case proceeds.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 May 2026