Donald Trump boasts $350 mn for Most stunning ballroom on this planet

When President Donald Trump pulled the drape off a scale mannequin within the Oval Office this week, the topic wasn’t coverage or defence — it was marble. The President unveiled plans for what he known as the “most stunning ballroom wherever on this planet,” a $300 million addition to the White House that he says might be funded totally by personal donors and his personal cash.

A builder’s dream contained in the White House

Mr. Trump instructed reporters the venture had already raised $350 million, exceeding its estimated price. “All donor cash and cash that we put up, we’ve raised,” he mentioned. “It’s going to be… probably the most stunning ballroom wherever on this planet, I believe.”

Asked how a lot of his personal fortune he was contributing, Mr. Trump smiled: “I gained’t be capable to inform you till I end, however I’ll donate no matter is required, I’ll inform you that.” He added later, “Oh, tens of millions of {dollars}. Yeah.”

The ballroom — generally referred to by aides because the Trump Ballroom — will exchange the present East Wing construction, with renderings exhibiting chandeliers, sweeping staircases, and arched home windows. Its neoclassical design, harking back to Mar-a-Lago, displays the president’s long-standing affinity for grand interiors and visual legacy tasks.

“You’ve seen the mannequin within the Oval Office,” mentioned White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt throughout Thursday’s (October 23, 2025) briefing. “This goes to be a powerful addition to the White House for a few years to come back — and it’s not costing taxpayers something.”

Privately funded, publicly scrutinised

The White House maintains that the venture is legally sound and privately financed, citing long-standing authorized opinions exempting demolitions from overview by the National Capital Planning Commission. “Only for vertical building will a submission be required,” Leavitt defined, emphasising that “the president is privately funding this ballroom addition to the White House grounds.”

When questioned about transparency, she pointed to a donor record already launched and mentioned extra names would observe. “The president has been extremely clear,” Leavitt mentioned. “Perhaps there might be extra individuals who need to contribute to this venture generously — and the president has dedicated his personal assets.”

One donor, Trump added, had already written a $130 million verify to cowl potential shortfalls. “That’s what I name a patriot,” he mentioned, declining to determine the contributor.

A glided legacy

Mr. Trump has usually described himself as a “builder at coronary heart,” and the ballroom suits neatly into that identification. “His coronary heart and his thoughts are at all times churning about the best way to enhance issues right here on the White House grounds,” Ms. Leavitt mentioned.

At the identical time, the president sees the ballroom as a part of a broader effort to revive what he considers a uncared for residence. “This home was slightly bit deserted,” he instructed reporters. “I take superb care of property… I spent tens of millions of {dollars} on this constructing, taking good care of it. It was not correctly maintained. And now it’s beginning to gleam prefer it ought to.”

He mentioned he personally paid for brand spanking new marble flooring and chandeliers within the Palm Room, including, “You ought to go down and go to the Presidential Walk of Fame. It’s fairly, fairly good.”

While critics have labelled the ballroom an arrogance venture, Trump and his staff body it as an act of stewardship. “Trust the method,” Ms. Leavitt instructed reporters. “It’s going to be magnificent.”

This article is revealed in an association with 5WH.