Trump Raises the Price Tag on His Ballroom Again — Now $400 Million

Trump has once again raised the projected construction cost of his highly controversial White House ballroom, now putting it at $400 million, after initially unveiling the project earlier this year with a $200 million price tag. The ballroom was first announced in April at that $200 million figure, which the White House presented at the time as a solid estimate tied to private funding and a fast construction timeline, but the number climbed quickly — first to $250 million, then to $300 million — before jumping again to the latest total. The steady increases have fueled criticism from opponents who see the project as extravagant and poorly explained, while supporters argue the ballooning cost reflects the scale, materials, and ambition involved rather than mismanagement. The new $400 million figure is likely to intensify scrutiny of a project that has already raised questions about priorities, symbolism, and how far a president's personal vision should reshape the physical footprint of the White House.

The ballroom project has also been dogged by chaos and whiplash inside Washington, with confusion turning into open shock after the East Wing was reportedly demolished despite earlier assurances that it would not be touched by the work, a reversal that fueled accusations that the White House was rushing ahead without a clear, credible plan. The backlash has now moved into the courts, where The National Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking to halt the effort and force compliance with preservation rules and federal process, arguing that the administration bulldozed first and dealt with oversight later. In its lawsuit, the group argues that the project moved forward without the legally required reviews or approvals, alleging that Trump and federal agencies demolished the East Wing and began construction of the roughly 90,000-square-foot ballroom without completing mandatory preservation and regulatory processes.

No taxpayer money

Trump has defended the latest jump in the ballroom's projected cost by framing it as a communications tactic rather than a reflection of runaway spending, insisting the project will be paid for entirely through private donations and not taxpayer money. Speaking about the controversy, he said the administration was offering what he described as a gift to the White House, stating «We're donating a $400 million ballroom and we got sued not to build it,» before suggesting the figure itself was deliberately padded to avoid future criticism. Trump added that the final cost could end up lower, saying «I think I'll do it for less. But it's 400. I should do it for less. I will do it for less. But just in case, I say 400. Otherwise if I say $3 over, the press will say it cost more.» In his telling, the higher number is meant to preempt negative coverage rather than signal excess, a familiar argument he has used repeatedly when challenged on cost overruns.

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