Trump's White House Ballroom Proposal Advances

Federal panel expected to approve former president's plan to build large event space on East Wing site.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A federal panel responsible for reviewing former President Donald Trump's plans to build a massive ballroom on the site of the former White House East Wing is expected to vote to advance the project when it meets on Thursday.

Why it matters

The proposed ballroom has been a controversial topic, with critics arguing it would alter the historic character of the White House grounds. The commission's approval would be a significant step forward for Trump's plan.

The details

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which reviews proposals for construction and changes to federal buildings and monuments in Washington, D.C., is likely to vote to approve Trump's ballroom project. The former president has pushed for the large event space to be built on the site of the former East Wing.

  • The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts is scheduled to meet and vote on the proposal on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who proposed the construction of a large ballroom on the White House grounds.

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

A federal panel responsible for reviewing plans and proposals for construction and changes to federal buildings and monuments in Washington, D.C.

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What’s next

If the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approves the proposal, it would still need to go through additional review and approval processes before construction could begin.

The takeaway

The potential approval of Trump's White House ballroom proposal by the federal panel highlights the ongoing debate over preserving the historic character of the nation's capital versus accommodating the desires of former presidents.