As criticism mounts over various leadership decisions made by Donald Trump, his administration has finally revealed its priority: constructing a new ballroom in the White House at a cost of $200 million.
The outspoken White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, shared detailed plans for the proposed 650-person ballroom. The construction will take place adjacent to the East Wing and is being framed as a modernization effort. The administration is calling it “much needed,” and the ballroom is expected to cover 90,000 square feet.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles weighed in, stating that one of their main goals is “preserving the special history of the White House.” She added that the administration hopes the project will benefit future administrations as well. The construction is expected to be completed by January 2029. That the Trump administration is openly acknowledging a future beyond a Trump presidency might be the most unexpected part of the whole ordeal.
Trump has reportedly already been holding meetings with various agencies, such as the Secret Service and the National Park Service, to fully discuss his ideas for the project with relevant authorities. This a sign that the project is well underway, and that all that remains are specifics on the safest way to do it.
On social media, however, the announcement has been poorly received. One user criticized the administration for pampering the elite with a “gold-plated ballroom” while 17 million Americans are set to lose their healthcare. Another commenter pointed out that people need lower prices on essential goods far more than a brand-new ballroom at the White House.
We don’t need a ballroom. We need lower food prices and gas prices. Tell trump no.
— Jack Hendricks (@JHendricks66) July 31, 2025
There is a caveat about the funding: the Trump administration claims the president will personally fund the construction with help from “well-wishing donors.” According to The Hill, Trump has long expressed his desire to “spruce up” the White House and has already replaced the grass in the Rose Garden with stone pavers.
This isn’t Trump’s first attempt at redesigning the White House. Obama-era staff confirmed that in 2016, Trump approached the administration with a $100 million offer to build a ballroom, but the proposal was never seriously considered. The contrast is notable: while Obama’s administration expanded Medicare access and downplayed material legacies, Trump’s has focused on material legacy projects while rolling back healthcare. That stark difference helps explain why the two presidents remain such bitter political adversaries.
Many in the MAGA camp have defended the project by pointing out that taxpayer money isn’t being used. But the doubling of Trump’s offer — from $100 million in 2016 to $200 million now — raises questions. Have billionaires suddenly become more generous about nation-building, or do they simply owe Trump favors? One could argue that this administration has been, by far, the elite’s strongest ally. And if you consider who even gets invited to White House ballroom events, it’s easy to conclude that their “needs” are being prioritized the most by this latest project as well.
Either way, it’s clear Trump’s latest project — a bigger, better ballroom — is taking precedence over healthcare for the most vulnerable Americans.
