Trump Says White House Ballroom Will Now Cost $400 Million as Judge Allows Construction to Move Forward [View all]

Source: People

Trump Says White House Ballroom Will Now Cost $400 Million as Judge Allows Construction to Move Forward

The addition, which is privately funded, was originally estimated by White House officials to cost $200 million

By Dave Quinn Published on December 17, 2025 10:59AM EST

• Donald Trump announced the White House ballroom's cost has risen to $400 million, up from earlier estimates
• A federal judge allowed construction to continue despite a lawsuit from preservationists challenging the project’s legality
• The privately funded 90,000-square-foot ballroom is expected to be completed by summer 2028

Donald Trump says the sprawling White House ballroom he is building on the grounds of the executive mansion will now cost $400 million — a significant jump from earlier estimates.

The president, 79, announced the updated price tag during a Hanukkah reception at the White House on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 17, where he also revealed that a federal judge has allowed construction on the controversial project to move forward. He repeated the figure multiple times while thanking the official for clearing the way for continued work, describing the ruling as an act of “courage.”

"We’re donating a $400 million ballroom," Trump said at the event, according to footage shared by CSPAN. "Myself and donors are giving them, free of charge, for nothing."

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Read more: https://people.com/trump-says-white-house-ballroom-will-now-cost-400-million-11870965

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Follow the money, folks. Don't be surprised if most of it gets diverted into graft.

It should also be noted that these "voluntary" donors have some $300 billion in government contracts.