Trump's Planned White House Ballroom Faces Scrutiny from Fine Arts Panel

New renderings of the proposed 90,000-square-foot addition submitted ahead of key meeting

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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More renderings of former President Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom have been submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts, which is set to meet on Thursday to review the project. The 31-page report shows the proposed addition from several new angles, including the view from Pennsylvania Avenue. The commission, which has been reconstituted with new members appointed by Trump, will weigh in on the controversial $400 million project that has faced legal challenges from preservationists.

Why it matters

The White House ballroom project has drawn significant scrutiny and legal challenges, with critics arguing that the president lacks the authority to undertake such a major construction without express approval from Congress. The new renderings and the reconstituted Commission of Fine Arts will play a key role in determining whether the project moves forward.

The details

The 31-page report submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts provides additional details and visualizations of the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom addition to the White House. The report shows the project from various angles, including the view from Pennsylvania Avenue. The commission, which is tasked with reviewing major capital projects in Washington, D.C., will meet via videoconference on Thursday to discuss the plans. The panel has been reconstituted with new members appointed by former President Trump, including an architect who previously led the ballroom project and a conservative columnist.

  • The Commission of Fine Arts is set to meet on Thursday, February 20, 2026 to review the ballroom project.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission is also scheduled to discuss the plans at its March 2026 meeting.

The players

Commission of Fine Arts

An independent agency formed by Congress to weigh in on major capital-area building projects in Washington, D.C.

James McCrery

The architect who previously led the ballroom project before being replaced, and is now a new member of the Commission of Fine Arts appointed by former President Trump.

Roger Kimball

A critic and conservative columnist for The Spectator who has written favorably about former President Trump, and is now a new member of the Commission of Fine Arts.

Chamberlain Harris

A 26-year-old White House Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations who worked in the first Trump White House, and is now a new member of the Commission of Fine Arts.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

An organization that has sued to stop the ballroom project, arguing that the president lacks the authority to undertake such a major construction without express approval from Congress.

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What’s next

The Commission of Fine Arts is set to meet on Thursday, February 20, 2026 to review the ballroom project, and the National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the plans at its March 2026 meeting. The judge in the lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation is expected to issue a decision on the project this month.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's plan to build a $400 million ballroom addition to the White House has faced significant legal and political challenges, with critics arguing that the president lacks the authority to undertake such a major construction project without express approval from Congress. The new renderings and the reconstituted Commission of Fine Arts will play a key role in determining whether the controversial project moves forward.