Trump Unveils Plans for 'Great Ballroom' at White House

Former president claims new ballroom will host future presidential inaugurations.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former President Donald Trump has posted new renderings of a massive $300 million ballroom currently under construction on the grounds of the White House. Trump claims the "Great Ballroom" will feature "unprecedented structural, safety, and security features" and will be used for future presidential inaugurations, despite the Constitution not dictating a specific location for the ceremony.

Why it matters

The construction of the new ballroom has faced legal challenges from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has sued to stop the project. The plans have raised questions about the president's authority to undertake such renovations and use private donations to fund them.

The details

The 90,000 square foot ballroom is being built on the former site of the White House's East Wing, which is being demolished as part of the project. Trump initially said the ballroom would not interfere with the existing White House structure, but later an official said the "entirety of the East Wing will be modernized" during construction.

  • Trump posted new renderings of the ballroom on February 10, 2026.
  • Construction on the $300 million project began in July.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who announced plans for the "Great Ballroom" at the White House.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A nonprofit organization that has sued to stop the construction of the new ballroom on the White House grounds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

A federal judge is expected to rule this month on whether to block the Trump administration's plans for the new ballroom.

The takeaway

The construction of the "Great Ballroom" at the White House has sparked legal challenges and raised questions about a president's authority to undertake such major renovations, especially with the use of private donations. The outcome of the legal battle could set an important precedent for future presidential construction projects.