President Donald Trump plans to construct a massive new ballroom on the White House grounds at no expense to American taxpayers.
According to Fox Business, the estimated $200 million construction project will be funded entirely by Trump himself and private donors rather than through government appropriations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced during a Thursday briefing that construction is set to begin in September and will be "completed long before the end of President Trump's term." This initiative follows Trump's earlier personal investment in the White House grounds, when he privately funded the installation of two 88-foot American flags earlier in 2025, each reportedly costing around $50,000.
The current White House lacks adequate space for hosting major diplomatic functions and state dinners, forcing staff to erect temporary structures for large gatherings.
"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," Leavitt explained during the press briefing. The new ballroom will replace these temporary arrangements with a permanent, architecturally consistent addition to the historic complex.
The United States Secret Service will oversee necessary security enhancements and modifications throughout the construction process to maintain proper protection protocols.
The new ballroom will span 90,000 square feet and accommodate approximately 650 seated guests for formal events.
McCrery Architects, selected by Trump to design the project, has created renderings showing a structure that maintains the classical architectural style of the White House. The design appears to seamlessly integrate with the existing historic building while providing the additional space needed for large-scale functions.
Clark Construction will oversee the building process with AECOM providing engineering support for the ambitious project.
The new ballroom will be constructed in place of the current East Wing of the White House, requiring temporary relocation of several offices.
According to Leavitt, offices currently housed in the East Wing, including the Office of the First Lady and the White House Visitors Office, will be temporarily relocated during construction. The placement allows the new structure to connect directly to the main White House building while preserving the historic West Wing.
The addition represents the most significant expansion of White House facilities in decades, addressing a functional limitation that has challenged presidential administrations for generations.
Trump's decision to fund the project privately rather than through government appropriations represents an unusual approach to White House improvements.
The $200 million private funding model stands in contrast to typical government building projects, which require congressional appropriations and public bidding processes. By using private donations and his own resources, Trump avoids the lengthy federal procurement procedures that often delay construction projects.
This funding approach resembles Trump's earlier gesture of personally financing the installation of the large American flags on White House grounds, continuing a pattern of private investment in what are traditionally government-funded improvements.
