Fine Arts Commission Approves Trump's Massive White House Ballroom Plan

The controversial project must now face scrutiny from the National Capital Planning Commission.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Commission of Fine Arts has unanimously approved plans for former President Donald Trump's nearly 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, the first step in the controversial construction project. The commission, whose members were all appointed by Trump, including his executive assistant Chamberlain Harris, voted in favor of the plan. However, the project still needs approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which could vote on it on March 5.

Why it matters

The proposed ballroom has faced significant public backlash, with over 2,000 comments received by the Commission of Fine Arts, the "vast, vast majority" of which were negative. Critics have raised concerns about the scale of the project, lack of transparency around funding and contracts, and a "fundamental miscarriage of democratic principles." The National Trust for Historic Preservation also challenged the construction in federal court, though a judge refused an injunction but ordered a review process.

The details

The original architect of the ballroom recused himself from the vote, and Trump fired all the previous members of the Commission of Fine Arts in October before appointing new members, including his executive assistant Chamberlain Harris. The commission chair, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., called the facility "desperately needed" and "beautiful," but the CFA secretary, Thomas Luebke, said the public comments were "overwhelmingly in opposition -- over 99%."

  • The Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the plans on February 19, 2026.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission is set to vote on the project on March 5, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who proposed the nearly 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom project.

Chamberlain Harris

26-year-old executive assistant to former President Trump, who was appointed to the Commission of Fine Arts.

Rodney Mims Cook Jr.

Chair of the Commission of Fine Arts, which unanimously approved the ballroom plans.

Thomas Luebke

Secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts, who said the public comments were "overwhelmingly in opposition -- over 99%."

Will Scharf

White House staff secretary appointed by Trump, who leads the National Capital Planning Commission.

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What they’re saying

“This is a facility that is desperately needed for over 150 years, and it's beautiful.”

— Rodney Mims Cook Jr., Chair, Commission of Fine Arts (The Washington Post)

“In two decades of casework here, I've never seen as much public engagement on this. We've literally gotten, in the past week or so, more than 2,000 various messages. The vast, vast majority is negative, in general.”

— Thomas Luebke, Secretary, Commission of Fine Arts (CBS News)

“This is sort of like the greatest country in the world. It's the greatest house in the world and we want it to be the greatest ballroom in the world.”

— Chamberlain Harris, Executive Assistant to Former President Trump (CBS News)

What’s next

The National Capital Planning Commission is set to vote on the ballroom project on March 5, 2026. If approved, the controversial construction would move forward despite significant public opposition.

The takeaway

The approval of Trump's massive White House ballroom plan by the Commission of Fine Arts, despite overwhelming public backlash, highlights the continued political influence of the former president and raises concerns about the transparency and democratic process surrounding major government construction projects.