Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Trump Claims Melania Supports New $250 Million White House Ballroom After Initial Hesitation
Imagine the White House is like a big house where the President lives and works.
President Trump wants to build a huge new party room, called a ballroom, that's even bigger than the main house!
It's going to cost a lot of money, but he says rich friends and companies are paying for it, not regular people.
Some people, like former First Ladies, are sad because they have to tear down a part of the house where the current First Lady works.
They think it's important to keep that space.
But the President says the old party room is too small for big parties and this new one will be perfect.
His wife, the First Lady, was a little unsure at first because she liked her old office, but the President thinks she's happy about the new ballroom now.
This new room will be so big it can fit almost 1000 people for parties!
President Trump plans to build a new $250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House.
Construction has started, involving the demolition of part of the East Wing, the traditional workspace for the first lady.
Trump claims the project is privately funded by 'generous Patriots' and not taxpayer money.
Critics like Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama have voiced objections to the demolition and the project's scope.
Trump justifies the project by stating the current largest space, the East Room, is too small for large events.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, with criticism from Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama
- What
- Construction of a new $250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House, replacing part of the East Wing, which has drawn criticism for its demolition and perceived extravagance, though Trump claims it is privately funded and necessary for entertaining.
- When
- Construction began in October; the ballroom is expected to be ready before January 2029.
- Where
- The White House, specifically replacing a portion of the East Wing.
- Why
- President Trump states the current largest space (East Room) is too small for entertaining, and a larger, modern ballroom is needed. Critics argue against the demolition of the East Wing and the project's perceived extravagance.
Critics
Supporters/Trump Administration
Purpose and Preservation of East Wing
Critics
The East Wing is the traditional workspace for the first lady and her staff, and its demolition is seen as destructive. Hillary Clinton stated, 'It's not his house. It's your house. And he's destroying it.' Michelle Obama added that the East Wing 'is the heart of the work' of any first lady.
Supporters/Trump Administration
The East Wing is being modernized as part of the ballroom project. The White House stated some demolition was necessary. President Trump believes a large entertaining space is needed, finding the current East Room too small.
Funding of the Project
Critics
Implicit criticism suggesting that using public funds or altering a historic building for such a project is inappropriate.
Supporters/Trump Administration
President Trump stated on social media that the ballroom is being privately funded by 'many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly,' and will not cost taxpayers a dime.
- Project Cost
- $250 million
- New Ballroom Capacity
- 999 people
- New Ballroom Size
- 90,000-square-foot
- Construction Start Date
- October
- Projected Completion
- Before January 2029
- Current Largest White House Space Capacity (East Room)
- Approx. 200 people