President Trump on Saturday defended the rising cost of the new White House ballroom after questions emerged about the project’s expanded price tag. The ballroom was originally estimated at $200 million, but that figure later increased to $300 million. When asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins about the higher cost, Trump dismissed the criticism, saying the design had changed significantly. He wrote on social media that the ballroom would now be “double the size,” with higher-end finishes and a larger column span to improve visibility. Trump insisted the project was “under budget and ahead of schedule,” adding it would be “much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned.”
Trump emphasized that the ballroom is being funded entirely through private donations, with no taxpayer money involved. The new structure is expected to cover roughly 90,000 square feet—far larger than the White House residence itself, excluding the West Wing. The administration initially projected seating for around 650 people, but Trump has since claimed the ballroom will accommodate close to 1,000 guests. Construction began in October following the demolition of the East Wing, and noise from the ongoing work can now be heard inside the White House.
Critics argue the ballroom is excessively large for the White House complex, but Trump and his team have defended the project as practical and long overdue. They note that large presidential events often rely on outdoor tents that are vulnerable to weather conditions, leaving guests dealing with wet grass, standing water, and cramped temporary setups. Trump has argued that future administrations will benefit from having a permanent, high-capacity indoor venue.
The White House issued a statement calling the criticism “manufactured outrage,” framing the ballroom as a visionary improvement consistent with historic presidential upgrades to the executive residence. A new lead architect was recently appointed after reports surfaced of disagreements between Trump and the original architect over the ballroom’s size.