After his big spiel about spending cuts and his support for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that laid off thousands of federal employees in the name of saving money, President Donald Trump is going to spend precious dollars on building a ballroom at the White House that is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
After significant cuts to government programmes that helped citizens in the name of wasteful spending, Trump is set to renovate the White House by adding a ridiculously expensive ballroom.
The White House will soon begin construction of a new $200 million ballroom to be ready before Trump’s term ends in early 2029.
In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump pointed to the White House’s set-up for large-scale events, which necessitates ferrying guests to tents set up on the South Lawn.
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“When it rains or snows, it’s a disaster,” Trump said, noting that tents are currently set up “a football field away from the White House.”
“I’m doing a lot of improvements,” Trump said to NBC. “I’ll be building a beautiful ballroom. They wanted it for many, many years.”
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the building will be 90,000 square feet (8,300 sq metres) and will hold up to 650 seats.
Levitt said funding for the addition will come from Trump, as well as other “patriot donors,” according to the White House website, leading Trump to label the project as “his gift to the country.”
First it was the billion dollar Qatari jet and now it’s the $200 million ballroom, it certainly looks like Trump is throwing away all that money he saved from laying off thousands and cutting critical programmes for the betterment of the country.
The White House, as both a home and the office of the U.S. president, has undergone numerous renovations and restorations throughout its history, many of them incredibly expensive and sometimes controversial. Here’s a timeline of some of the most notable and costly renovations:
1. Truman Reconstruction (1948–1952)
Cost: $5.7 million (about $70–$80 million today)
Reason: The structure was literally collapsing. Floors were sagging, and engineers declared the house unsafe.
Details:
· The entire interior was gutted and rebuilt with steel-reinforced concrete.
· Only the exterior stone shell remained.
· Modern plumbing, heating, and electrical systems were added.
· A new, bomb-proof basement and a subterranean shelter were installed.
2. Kennedy Renovation (1961–1963)
Cost: $2 million (privately funded through donations)
Led by: First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy
Details:
· Focused on restoring historical integrity, not just cosmetic updates.
· She brought in American antiques and re-furnished the rooms to reflect different periods in U.S. history.
· Created the White House Historical Association.
3. Nixon Renovations (1969–1974)
Cost: Undisclosed but significant
Details:
· Major modernization of communications systems (phone and TV).
· Built a private White House bowling alley and updated the press briefing room.
· Created a new indoor swimming pool under the press room.
4. Reagan Era Updates (1980s)
Cost: $800,000+ (some publicly funded, some privately raised)
Details:
· Reagan’s team redecorated many ceremonial rooms.
· Luxury upgrades included expensive china, wallpaper, and drapery.
· First Lady Nancy Reagan was criticized for lavish spending during a recession.
5. Post-9/11 Security Upgrades (2000s)
Cost: Estimated in hundreds of millions
Details:
· Extensive but largely classified renovations to strengthen physical and cyber security.
· Construction of new subterranean bunkers and command centers.
· Reinforced perimeter with anti-vehicle barriers.
6. Obama-Era Tech and Sustainability Updates (2009–2017)
Cost: Unknown, included in broader federal maintenance budgets
Details:
· Upgraded tech infrastructure, including internet and cybersecurity.
· First-ever installation of solar panels since the Carter administration.
· Renovated the Situation Room and replaced outdated electrical systems.
7. Trump Renovation Projects (2017–2021)
Cost: Over $3.4 million+
Details:
· Renovated HVAC system, West Wing upgrades, and modernized furniture.
· Refreshed the Red Room, Blue Room, and Green Room decor.
· Restored historical artworks and replaced worn flooring and carpets.