While the Trump administration first announced its intention to construct a new ballroom in July 2025, along with the announcement, the White House shared renderings of what the final design would look like and some general details about the new project & its construction.
Now, with demolition officially underway, here is everything you need to know about the new Presidential Ballroom that will be replacing the White House’s East Wing in the not-so-distant future:
Why is the President building a ballroom at the White House?
According to the current administration’s statements, the reasoning behind the construction of a formal ballroom at the White House centered on the White House’s current inability to host large-scale events, with the East Room only able to accommodate around 200 guests currently.
In turn, this means that whenever the White House hosted a large event, such as a state dinner or another formal reception, a tent would need to be erected on the lawn to accommodate the large group.
According to President Trump’s remarks, this ongoing reliance on a tent setup was “a disaster,” particularly noting the significant impact the elements like rain or snow would have on the flow of the events.
The solution, and what Trump’s administration has claimed will be a “proud presidential legacy,” is a spacious indoor event space with room for 900 guests that would eliminate the need for tents.
Who is paying for the White House Ballroom, and how much will it cost?
According to the administration’s press release, the new White House Ballroom is being funded entirely via private donations, which means no tax dollars are being used to build it.
This is also why construction, or more accurately, demolition, is actively being carried out even though the government is in the midst of a shutdown.
According to recent reports by the current administration, the total project is expected to cost roughly $300 million (up from the initial $200 million), all of which is to be covered by donations made by “Patriot Donors,” as Trump calls them.
There is a wide range of known donors, including large corporations, wealthy individuals, and even Trump himself; however, an extensive list of donors has not yet been released to the public.
What does the Preservation Commission have to say about the East Wing’s demotion?
When the demolition of the East Wing began on October 21st, the National Trust for Historic Preservation immediately shared its objections to the plans for a 90,000 Sq. Ft. structure in such proximity to the White House, stating that it could, “permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House with its two smaller, and lower, East and West Wings.”
When will construction on the ballroom be completed?
According to the administration’s press release, the ball is “expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump’s term.”
Suggesting that, at the absolutely latest, the new ballroom would be complete and functional by January 2029.
The project officially kicked off with demolition beginning on October 21st; however, no clear timeline for the construction has been shared with the public at this time.
With this in mind, tours of the White House have been canceled indefinitely, an unusual occurrence, however, not surprising given the scale of the renovations.
What is the history of the White House’s East Wing?
The East Wing was first built under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, serving as an entry corridor for formal and public visitors, particularly during large social gatherings.
In 1942, during the FDR administration, a renovation of the East Wing added the functionality and stature that the structure maintained for over 80 years, creating the iconic two-story building that we know as the East Wing today.
This new East Wing building, constructed by FDR, featured enhanced security and even added functional workspace, such as the First Lady’s Office, in addition to a more grand reception area.
While the staff of those offices have been relocated during the current construction, it’s unclear if their office space will remain in the East Wing once construction is complete, or if they will have to be permanently relocated.