Trump's White House Ballroom Renovation Approved by Federal Arts Panel

The $400 million project will add a 90,000-square-foot ballroom to the East Wing of the White House.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A federal arts panel appointed by President Trump has approved his plan to construct a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the East Wing of the White House. Six of the seven members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) gave final approval to the $400 million project during a meeting, despite criticism from Democratic lawmakers, historians, and preservation groups.

Why it matters

The massive addition to the White House complex has drawn scrutiny since Trump proposed the idea last year, with concerns raised about the project bypassing the traditional permitting, zoning, and review process. The ballroom is intended to allow future administrations to hold large state events indoors, rather than using outdoor tents.

The details

The CFA's approval came during a meeting that was expected to only focus on the design. Commissioner James McCrery, the initial architect, abstained from voting. Trump praised the decision in a post on Truth Social, saying 'great accolades were paid to the building's beauty and scale.' The project is being funded mostly by private donors and is slated for completion by 2028.

  • The CFA gave final approval to the project during a meeting on February 19, 2026.
  • Trump proposed the idea for the ballroom last year.
  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the White House in December 2025, seeking to halt construction until the public had an opportunity to weigh in on the plans.
  • The project will be under further discussion during a March 2026 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission.

The players

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA)

A federal arts panel appointed by President Trump that gave final approval to the White House ballroom renovation project.

James McCrery

The initial architect for the project who abstained from voting on the CFA's approval.

Donald Trump

The former president who proposed the idea for the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the East Wing of the White House.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A group that sued the White House in December 2025, seeking to halt construction of the ballroom until the public had an opportunity to weigh in on the plans.

National Capital Planning Commission

The commission that will provide further discussion and planning guidance for the federal land and government buildings in the Washington, D.C. area, including the White House ballroom project.

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What they’re saying

“The Commission of Fine Arts just approved, unanimously, 6 to 0, with one recusal because he had a conflict in that he worked professionally on the job, the White House Ballroom. Great accolades were paid to the building's beauty and scale. Thank you to the members of the Commission!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“Why didn't these obstructionists and troublemakers bring their baseless lawsuit much earlier? Congress never tried, or wanted, to stop the Ballroom Project! Everyone knew what was taking place at the White House — A great, big, beautiful gift to the United States of America!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The project will be under further discussion during a March 2026 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, which provides planning guidance for federal land and government buildings in the Washington, D.C. area.

The takeaway

The approval of Trump's White House ballroom renovation by a federal arts panel appointed by the former president highlights the ongoing political divisions and debates around historic preservation, public spending, and the role of the presidency in shaping the nation's capital.