In Photos: Trump hosts lavish White House dinner to thank donors funding $250 million ballroom

“To me, there’s nothing like the White House,” Trump said, according to AP, adding that he expected to have funds left over once the project was completed.   

President Donald Trump arrives to a dinner for donors who have contributed to build the new ballroom at the White House. (AP Photo)

Who attended the event?

According to a White House official cited by AP, representatives from several major companies attended the dinner, including Amazon, Apple, Booz Allen Hamilton, Coinbase, Comcast, Google, Lockheed Martin, Meta Platforms and T-Mobile.

Among the prominent guests were oil magnate Harold Hamm, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and crypto entrepreneurs Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. GOP donor Miriam Adelson’s family foundation also had representation at the event.

Guests listens as President Donald Trump addresses a dinner for donors who have contributed to build the new ballroom at the White House. (AP Photo)

Other attendees included Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, and longtime adviser Jason Miller.

Guests in formal attire dined on a multi-course meal of heirloom tomato panzanella salad, beef Wellington, and roasted Anjou pears with butterscotch ice cream. Tables were decorated with white floral arrangements and tall candles, while dinner was served on gold-trimmed plates.

Guests listen as President Donald Trump addresses a dinner for donors who have contributed to build the new ballroom at the White House. (AP Photo)

Trump told guests the new ballroom, planned near the East Wing, will cover about 90,000 square feet. The White House earlier said the venue would hold up to 650 people, though Trump claimed it could accommodate as many as 999.

Questions over approval and process

The ballroom project has not yet been approved by the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts, which usually oversee federal building designs. However, White House staff secretary Will Scharf, who Trump also appointed to lead the planning commission, maintained that presidential projects do not require external approval.

Trump told guests the new ballroom, planned near the East Wing, will cover about 90,000 square feet. (AP Photo)

There are no zoning requirements for the president of the United States, Trump said according to AP, asserting he could proceed freely with construction.

A model is seen as Trump addresses the dinner for the donors. (AP Photo)

During the dinner, Trump also unveiled plans for another project: a grand arch to be placed on one end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, connecting Virginia and Washington, DC. Displaying miniature models of the proposed structure, he said the arch would feature Lady Liberty at its peak. “It’s going to be really beautiful,” Trump told the attendees, reported AP.