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A Gilded Gathering Place: Construction Begins on Trump’s $200 Million White House Ballroom in September

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After more than a decade of floating the idea, President Donald Trump’s vision for a grand, permanent ballroom at the White House is about to become reality. Construction is set to begin in September on a $200 million “state ballroom” that will reshape the East Wing and dramatically expand the executive mansion’s capacity for formal events.

The 90,000-square-foot structure will temporarily displace staff offices traditionally assigned to First Ladies, making way for a lavish event space inspired by Trump’s signature aesthetic. According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the new ballroom will echo the interiors of Trump’s private clubs — boasting Corinthian columns, coffered ceilings with gold inlays, glimmering chandeliers, a checkered marble floor, and sweeping arched windows with views of the South Lawn.

While the current East Room can seat around 200 guests, the new ballroom will accommodate more than 650 — a significant upgrade for official state dinners, diplomatic receptions, and ceremonial events. “President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” said Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. She emphasized that the entire project will be funded by the president and a group of private donors, not taxpayer dollars.

Though critics have questioned the necessity of such an expansion, White House officials defend the project as both practical and symbolic. The ballroom will eliminate the frequent reliance on large outdoor tents, which are costly, visually intrusive, and limited by weather. The administration also underscored that the design will honor the mansion’s neoclassical roots while meeting modern logistical needs.

The architectural plans were developed by McCrery Architects, a firm known for blending classical design with functional public space. The project has already cleared key hurdles, including coordination with the National Park Service, the Secret Service, and the White House Military Office to ensure security, accessibility, and preservation compliance.

President Trump first proposed a similar ballroom in 2010 during the Obama years, even offering to fund it himself. Fifteen years later, that offer has evolved into a groundbreaking addition to America’s most historic home — one that reflects a blend of grandeur, tradition, and political spectacle.