Massive new addition to the White House

Work officially began this week on Trump’s 90,000-square-foot ballroom, with excavators tearing into parts of the East Wing. The opulent structure, which will hold up to 999 guests, is designed to replace the tents that have long been used for large events such as state dinners. Renderings released by the White House show a gilded design reminiscent of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago ballroom. The president has said the facility is necessary because “the East Room is too small” for major occasions.

Funded by Trump and major corporate donors

While Trump has pledged to personally fund “significant portions” of the construction, the rest is being covered by private donors and corporations. The White House confirmed that companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Lockheed Martin, Coinbase, Comcast, Ripple, T-Mobile, and Palantir have contributed. Wealthy individuals, including the Winklevoss twins, the Adelson family, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are also among the listed donors. The donations are being managed by the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit organization that works with the National Park Service.

Ethics questions over donor influence

The funding model has drawn sharp criticism from ethics experts who fear it could create a “pay-to-play” dynamic. Richard Painter, former chief ethics lawyer in the George W Bush administration, told the BBC that the ballroom project “uses access to the White House to raise money.” He warned that large corporate contributions could give donors undue influence within the administration. Similar controversies have plagued past presidencies, including Bill Clinton’s Lincoln Bedroom scandal in the 1990s.

Rising costs and a growing scale

Initially estimated at $200 million with seating for 650 guests, the ballroom’s projected cost has risen to $250–$300 million and its capacity has expanded to 999 people. Trump said some donors offered to contribute up to $25 million each, while YouTube has agreed to pay $22 million as part of a legal settlement over the suspension of Trump’s account after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The White House insists the renovation will not cost taxpayers a cent and will benefit future administrations.

Debate over preservation and power

The demolition of the East Wing façade has alarmed historians and preservationists. The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged the administration to pause the project, warning that a 90,000-square-foot ballroom “will overwhelm the White House itself,” which totals just 55,000 square feet. Presidential historian Jonathan Alter called the construction “the perfect symbol of the Trump administration,” likening it to taking “a wrecking ball to the rule of law.” Meanwhile, supporters like former First Lady Laura Bush’s chief of staff Anita McBride argue the ballroom is a long-overdue addition that will modernize White House hosting capabilities.

5 things to know about Donald Trump’s $250 million White House Ballroom project

Donald Trump’s $250 million White House ballroom is under construction—funded by corporate donors and sparking ethics and preservation debates. Here are five key facts.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | October 23, 2025 07:43 PM IST

1 min read

Demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House to make room for a new ballroom, in Washington, Wednesday. (Photo: AP)

As construction begins on US President Donald Trump’s new $250 million White House ballroom, the ambitious project has drawn both intrigue and controversy. Here are five key things to know about the unprecedented expansion at America’s most famous residence.

01
Massive new addition to the White House
Work officially began this week on Trump’s 90,000-square-foot ballroom, with excavators tearing into parts of the East Wing. The opulent structure, which will hold up to 999 guests, is designed to replace the tents that have long been used for large events such as state dinners.

Renderings released by the White House show a gilded design reminiscent of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago ballroom. The president has said the facility is necessary because “the East Room is too small” for major occasions.
02
Funded by Trump and major corporate donors
While Trump has pledged to personally fund “significant portions” of the construction, the rest is being covered by private donors and corporations. The White House confirmed that companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Lockheed Martin, Coinbase, Comcast, Ripple, T-Mobile, and Palantir have contributed.

Wealthy individuals, including the Winklevoss twins, the Adelson family, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are also among the listed donors. The donations are being managed by the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit organization that works with the National Park Service.
03
Ethics questions over donor influence
The funding model has drawn sharp criticism from ethics experts who fear it could create a “pay-to-play” dynamic. Richard Painter, former chief ethics lawyer in the George W Bush administration, told the BBC that the ballroom project “uses access to the White House to raise money.”

He warned that large corporate contributions could give donors undue influence within the administration. Similar controversies have plagued past presidencies, including Bill Clinton’s Lincoln Bedroom scandal in the 1990s.
04
Rising costs and a growing scale
Initially estimated at $200 million with seating for 650 guests, the ballroom’s projected cost has risen to $250–$300 million and its capacity has expanded to 999 people.

Trump said some donors offered to contribute up to $25 million each, while YouTube has agreed to pay $22 million as part of a legal settlement over the suspension of Trump’s account after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The White House insists the renovation will not cost taxpayers a cent and will benefit future administrations.
05
Debate over preservation and power
The demolition of the East Wing façade has alarmed historians and preservationists. The National Trust for Historic Preservation urged the administration to pause the project, warning that a 90,000-square-foot ballroom “will overwhelm the White House itself,” which totals just 55,000 square feet.

Presidential historian Jonathan Alter called the construction “the perfect symbol of the Trump administration,” likening it to taking “a wrecking ball to the rule of law.” Meanwhile, supporters like former First Lady Laura Bush’s chief of staff Anita McBride argue the ballroom is a long-overdue addition that will modernize White House hosting capabilities.