US President Trump to Renovate White House with $200m
- US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a $200 million ballroom at the White House, marking one of the most significant expansions in its history
- The new venue, set to replace the East Wing, will accommodate up to 650 guests and be funded by Trump and private donors
- The announcement has reignited debate over the evolving architecture of the presidential residence and its historical legacy
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US President Donald Trump is set to undertake one of the most ambitious architectural additions to the White House in decades, a $200 million ballroom adjacent to the East Wing.
The announcement, made during a press briefing on Thursday, marks the latest in a series of high-profile renovations under Trump’s administration, which have included paving over the Rose Garden and adding gold-filigree embellishments to the Oval Office.
Source: Getty Images
Trump white house ballroom to replace East Wing
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the planned ballroom as a “much needed and exquisite addition,” noting that it would span approximately 90,000 square feet (8,360 square metres) and accommodate up to 650 guests.
The new venue would significantly expand the capacity for formal events, which are currently held in the East Room, a space limited to around 200 attendees.
Leavitt confirmed that the ballroom would be constructed where the East Wing currently stands. When asked whether the project would require demolishing that section of the White House, she stated the East Wing would need to be “modernised.” Renderings released by the White House suggest that the new structure will maintain architectural continuity with the existing mansion.
Construction is expected to be completed “long before” the end of Trump’s term in January 2029, according to Leavitt. She also indicated that the president and other private donors would fund the project, though she declined to provide further financial details.
Trump’s longstanding vision for a White House ballroom
Trump, a former real estate developer, has long expressed interest in building a ballroom at the White House. In 2016, he reportedly offered $100 million for the project during Barack Obama’s presidency, an offer that was ultimately rejected.
The proposed expansion has reignited discussions about the evolving architecture of the White House. Leslie Greene Bowman, a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House who has served under four presidents, told BBC News: “The White House has a history of expansion to accommodate the changing needs of the nation’s chief executive.”
History of White House expansion and renovation
The White House has undergone numerous transformations since its construction began in 1792. Designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, the building was constructed by enslaved labourers and European craftsmen. President John Adams became its first occupant in 1800, although the structure remained unfinished at the time.
During the War of 1812, British forces set fire to the White House in August 1814. Reconstruction began swiftly under President James Madison, again led by Hoban. President James Monroe moved into the restored residence in 1817 and later added the South Portico in 1824. The North Portico followed in 1829 under Andrew Jackson, shaping the iconic facade recognised today.
Throughout the 19th century, the White House saw gradual improvements, including the installation of running water, gas lighting, and electricity, introduced under President Benjamin Harrison in 1891.
Major 20th century renovations to the White House
The 20th century brought more dramatic changes. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt removed Victorian interiors and relocated the presidential offices to a newly constructed West Wing. He also expanded the State Dining Room to seat 100 guests.
President William Howard Taft further extended the West Wing in 1909 and introduced the first Oval Office, now a symbol of presidential authority.
The most extensive overhaul occurred under President Harry Truman between 1945 and 1953. Truman gutted the interior of the White House, reinforcing it with steel beams and concrete floors while preserving the outer walls. He also added the controversial “Truman Balcony” to the South Portico.
Subsequent presidents have made more subtle adjustments, but Trump’s proposed ballroom stands out as one of the most significant expansions in recent history.
Trump releases FBI records on Martin Luther King Jr.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Trump administration has authorised the public release of over 240,000 pages of FBI surveillance records involving Martin Luther King Jr., despite opposition from his family and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
These documents, collected decades ago and sealed by court order in 1977, were transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration and have now been digitised for the first time, according to a statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Source: Legit.ng
