President Donald Trump shared a new rendering of his White House ballroom renovation project in a post on Truth Social.
The rendering showed the ballroom from the perspective of U.S. Treasury building, to the east of the White House.
“This beautiful building will be, when complete, the much anticipated White House Ballroom — The Greatest of its kind ever built!” Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday afternoon.
Why It Matters
The project has drawn heavy criticism from historians, Democrats, and voters after the East Wing was rapidly demolished to make way for the new ballroom in October. Trump has long said that the White House does not have enough space to hold state dinners and large events, stating that the ballroom would deliver on this without costing taxpayers.
What To Know
President Trump said Tuesday that the ballroom, which will cost at least $400 million, would replace “the very small, dilapidated, and rebuilt many times, East Wing”, calling it a new East Wing.
“Being an identical height and scale, it is totally in keeping with our historic White House,” Trump posted. “This is the first rendering shown to the Public. If you notice, the North Wall is a replica of the North Facade of the White House, shown at the right hand side of the picture. This space will serve our Country well for, hopefully, Centuries into the future!”
Construction on the ballroom has faced legal hurdles, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation filing a lawsuit claiming Trump had ignored rules requiring Congressional approval and oversight of changes to the historic building.
The Trump administration has argued that there has been a long history of presidents making changes to the structure, although some of these have been cosmetic or more subtle than the current project.
Under the plans, a 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be constructed, which officials say will reflect the architectural style of the rest of the White House. Reports have also suggested that a new nuclear bunker will be built underneath the new space.
What People Are Saying
The National Trust’s lawsuit said: “No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever—not President Trump, not President Biden, and not anyone else.”
The Trump administration said in a filing on February 2: “The new East Wing’s expanded capacity for receiving foreign dignitaries and visitors will substantially benefit the President, EOP, other governmental offices and agencies with a White House presence, and the American people. The past practice of pitching temporary tents on the South Lawn was costly and cumbersome, did not comport with the dignity due to the White House, and ’caused substantial damage to NPS resources on the grounds,’ including the turf, irrigation systems, and other NPS infrastructure.”
What Happens Next
The National Capital Planning Commission is reviewing the plans, while a judge weighs the lawsuit brought by the Trust.
Trump is also looking to leave his mark on Washington, D.C., through changes to the Kennedy Center and the building of an arch similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Update 2/3/2026, 4:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
link