WASHINGTON — A federal planning commission has approved former President Donald Trump’s proposal to construct a massive ballroom at the White House, advancing the controversial $400 million project even as legal challenges continue to cast uncertainty over its future.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted Thursday in favor of the project, which would replace the East Wing of the White House — a structure already demolished as part of Trump’s broader vision to reshape the historic property.
“I believe that, in time, this ballroom will be considered every bit as much of a national treasure as the other key components of the White House,” said Will Scharf, the commission’s chair and Trump’s former personal lawyer.
Despite the commission’s approval, the project faces significant legal hurdles. Earlier in the week, a federal judge ruled that construction could not proceed without authorization from Congress, temporarily halting progress.
“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!” U.S. District Judge Richard Leon stated in his ruling.
Leon’s decision followed a lawsuit filed by preservation advocates, who argue that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally approve such a large-scale alteration to a historic federal property.
The judge acknowledged potential logistical complications from halting an active construction site but maintained that the legal questions surrounding the project warranted intervention.
Trump, however, has pushed forward with the project, emphasizing that it is being funded through private donations rather than taxpayer dollars.
“In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG!” Trump said in a social media post. “Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House.”
The proposed ballroom, estimated at 90,000 square feet, is designed to host large-scale events and is part of Trump’s broader effort to modernize and expand White House facilities. The project’s cost has doubled from earlier estimates of $200 million to approximately $400 million.
.webp)
Public response has been sharply divided. While supporters argue the ballroom would enhance the functionality of the White House, critics say the project undermines the historical integrity of the site and raises ethical concerns over private funding.
“The American people have weighed in on this project, and they hate it,” said Jon Golinger, a democracy advocate with Public Citizen. “He needs to put the White House back the way the people gave it to him.”
The commission’s vote had been delayed from March due to overwhelming public interest and opposition, with many stakeholders voicing concerns during public comment periods.
The project is expected to remain tied up in legal proceedings as the administration seeks to overturn the court ruling. Trump has indicated he hopes to complete the ballroom before the end of his current term in 2029, though the timeline remains uncertain.
Originally reported by Reuters and The Associated Press in Al Jazeera.
.png)
