Donald Trump’s ambitious project of setting up a ballroom at the White House has met with stiff opposition from Congress. The $400 million construction, which is set to replace the historic East Wing, hasn’t been an easy pill to swallow for many critics. In the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding it, the U.S. president addressed the issue in a statement to the press.
Meeting reporters in the Oval Office, Trump responded to whether he would apply the brakes on construction of the proposed ballroom. The question was in relation to a recent order by a federal court judge to temporarily halt the masonry work, since the project itself does not meet congressional approval. In response, the 79-year-old denied he would follow the directive.
Q: “A judge just ordered you to stop construction of the ballroom. Are you planning to stop?”
Trump: “We’ll appeal that…basically, he’s saying I need congressional approval, and he’s so wrong. This is being financed privately.” pic.twitter.com/yFqc7yrGvC
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) March 31, 2026
Trump began by stating that he will be appealing the court order. However, he clarified that congressional approval is not required for the ballroom since it is being funded by private companies rather than taxpayer money.
Reacting to the judge’s order, he stated, “Basically, he’s saying I need congressional approval. And he’s so wrong. This is being financed privately. It’s a donation that’s been given by private companies. Very rich companies, very rich people. So that for 150 years, they’ve wanted a ballroom here. We’re going to have the finest ballroom, I believe, anywhere in the world.”
Trump continued, “We didn’t ask for any tax money. We have no tax. This is taxpayer-free. We have no taxpayer putting up ten cents.” The president then referred to different construction that has taken place at the White House in the past, all of which occurred without needing approval from Congress.
For the ballroom, Trump emphasized that it was a donation and that the project had already received great reviews. He also mentioned that a ballroom had been a longstanding requirement at the White House. Speaking about the need for a large space, Trump explained that it would serve as a place for receiving visiting presidents and prime ministers from across the globe.
In his words, “Presidents for 150 years have wanted this ballroom to be built. Because when we have President Xi or other presidents or prime ministers coming, we don’t have a big room. We have the East Room, which is very small.”
Trump further responded to the court’s directive, which demanded that the ballroom maintain the safety protocols of the White House grounds, the president, and his staff. He mentioned that they were already addressing security concerns, including using bulletproof, ballistic-proof glass and a drone-proof roof.
While Americans are having to choose between paying for groceries or gas, struggling to find jobs, pay rent, or access health care, Trump was willing to spend $400 million on his vanity project: a White House ballroom.
A federal judge just blocked it.
The American people have… https://t.co/BQlk2BBTpv
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) March 31, 2026
Trump took pride in the enhanced security measures in the ballroom, including secure air-handling and bio-defense systems, secure telecommunications, bomb shelters, a hospital, and a major medical facility. In contrast, he slammed the court’s directive, claiming that the White House itself does not have bulletproof glass owing to its dated construction.
Despite these clarifications, the upcoming ballroom has faced stiff criticism. Many have ridiculed the ballooning budget of the project, which contrasts with the dire affordability crisis that continues to trouble Americans. Trump has also been condemned for razing the iconic East Wing of the White House, which was a historic landmark on the presidential grounds.
