Trump Appointees Unanimously Approve White House Ballroom Proposal

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The US Commission of Fine Arts, a panel made up of appointees of former President Trump, including his former receptionist, unanimously approved his proposal for a new White House ballroom on Thursday. The project, which would demolish the East Wing and construct a ballroom roughly twice the size of the White House itself, has faced public backlash and a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Why it matters

The approval by Trump's handpicked commission raises concerns about the influence of political appointees over the review process for major renovations to historic government buildings in Washington, D.C. The project has also drawn criticism for its lack of independent reviews, congressional approval, and public comment - typical steps for such a significant modification.

The details

At the commission's January meeting, some members questioned the "immense" design and scale of the project, even as they broadly endorsed Trump's vision. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued in federal court to halt construction of the ballroom, and a court decision in the case is pending. The project is also scheduled for additional discussion at a March 5 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, which is led by one of Trump's top White House aides.

• The Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the ballroom proposal on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
• The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the project at a meeting on March 5, 2026.

What’s next

The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the White House ballroom project at a meeting on March 5, 2026. A court decision on the lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation is also pending.