Construction has begun on President Donald Trump’s $250 million ($32 billion KES) neoclassical ballroom at the White House, a project that has sparked both admiration and controversy. Rising from the demolished East Wing, the 90,000-square-foot venue promises to be the largest architectural addition to the executive mansion in over a century.
The ballroom is designed to host state dinners, diplomatic galas, and ceremonial events. Plans include 30-foot gilded ceilings with hand-painted frescoes, imported Italian marble floors, a retractable stage, orchestra pit, and a private mezzanine gallery for VIPs and family. While initial designs aimed to accommodate 650 guests, Trump later expanded capacity to 999. Renderings suggest the aesthetic will resemble Mar-a-Lago’s gilded ballroom, blending Beaux-Arts and neoclassical styles with Trump’s signature grandiosity.
To make way for the project, the East Wing—home to the First Lady’s offices, the press briefing room, and the historic visitor entrance—was demolished in October 2025. The White House has assured that the main building will remain untouched and that modernization of the East Wing is part of the broader plan.
Financing has raised eyebrows, with the White House stating the project is entirely privately funded by “many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly.” Notably, $22 million came from YouTube following a legal settlement. Critics warn that corporate contributions could blur ethical lines and raise questions of influence and fairness.
For Trump, the ballroom is a legacy project, aimed at providing a grand space for future administrations. He has described it as “new, big, and beautiful,” noting that the U.S. government has historically lacked a venue for large-scale White House events.
Construction is expected to take 18–24 months, with completion anticipated between late 2027 and early 2028, well before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029. The project has reignited debates over presidential legacy, ethics, and public spending, cementing its place as one of the most talked-about White House renovations in decades.
