Summary
President Donald Trump started construction this week on a new White House ballroom in the East Wing. The project, costing about $250 million, will not use taxpayer money and aims to provide space for large gatherings. The ballroom will be a new addition to the historic White House structure, which has not seen such changes since 1948.
Key Facts
- Construction has begun on a new ballroom in the East Wing of the White House.
- The existing East Wing includes offices for the first lady and a visitor’s entrance.
- President Trump announced the ballroom project would be privately funded.
- The estimated cost of the ballroom is $250 million.
- The ballroom will be about 90,000 square feet and can hold up to 999 people.
- The project did not get formal approval from the National Capital Planning Commission.
- The construction is planned to finish before January 2029.
- Current White House events usually take place in a room that seats around 200 people, much smaller than the new ballroom.
