The project will be financed without taxpayer money, with completion expected before end of Trump’s term in early 2029.
Demolition work on the White House East Wing commenced on Oct. 20 to make way for President Donald Trump’s ballroom project, with parts of the wing already torn down.
Built in 1902 and expanded with a second story in 1942, the East Wing houses the office of the first lady. Trump stated on Truth Social on Oct. 20 that it will be “fully modernized” as part of the ballroom construction process.
“I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom,” the president said.
Trump said the construction of the ballroom will be funded privately, with no taxpayer funds involved. It will be financed by the president and other private donors, including some “great American companies.”
“For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer,” Trump stated.
During an Oct. 20 event celebrating baseball champions from Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport in the White House’s East Room, Trump announced that construction of the ballroom was already underway.
“We’re building right behind us, we’re building a ballroom,” he said. “I didn’t know I’d be standing here right now, because right on the other side, you have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically.”
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom will stand apart from the main building of the White House and is expected to cost more than $200 million. Trump said at a dinner event last week that it would be able to accommodate up to 999 people, up from the originally announced seated capacity of 650 people in July.
Currently, only 200 people can be seated in the East Room, where many social events at the White House are held.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on July 31 that the White House, despite its history and beauty, is unable to host large events without erecting a tent on the White House lawn, where state dinners are usually held.
