Trump Says It’s ‘Too Late’ to Stop Ballroom Construction
On Sunday, President Donald Trump asserted that it’s “too late” to halt the ongoing construction of a new ballroom at the White House. This came in light of a recent lawsuit challenging the project.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to the ballroom as a “GIFT to the United States,” highlighting its estimated cost of $300 million, which he claims is funded entirely by private donations.
The lawsuit in question was filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Trump criticized the organization for waiting until after construction had commenced to take legal action.
“Why didn’t these disruptors and troublemakers file baseless lawsuits sooner?” he remarked, expressing his frustrations.
He noted that the East Wing has undergone numerous alterations over the years, arguing that its current form bears little resemblance to the original structure.
Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt announced in late July plans for the ballroom, which will measure 90,000 square feet and can host about 650 seated guests, while maintaining the classic aesthetic of the White House. Currently, there isn’t a formal ballroom in the White House, so this new space is set to replace the East Wing.
Since regaining the presidency, Trump has made significant changes to the aesthetic of both the White House and the National Mall.
He has unveiled plans for another ambitious project: a monument dubbed the Arc de Trump, aimed at commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation next year. This structure, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is designed to greet visitors crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge from the cemetery into the capital.
Trump’s flair for luxury is evident in the Oval Office too. Recently, he has added gold accents throughout the room and made upgrades to decorative elements around the ceiling and door frames. The angel sculpture in the doorframe has also undergone a gilded transformation. Interestingly, Trump has said that he personally funded these redecorations.
Additionally, outside the Oval Office, the Trump administration has introduced a “Presidential Walk of Fame,” showcasing portraits of past presidents along the colonnades of the West Wing. Notably, outgoing President Joe Biden’s portrait features his signature produced using an autopen, a machine that mimics human handwriting. Large gold-framed mirrors have also been added to the sidewalks.
Trump mentioned recently that he renovated the Lincoln bathroom in the White House, as he felt its design didn’t reflect the period of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. He noted that the space had been refurbished in the 1940s with Art Deco green tiles, which he deemed inappropriate for the era.
