Trump Announces $400M White House Ballroom Project Approved

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the massive undertaking, Trump says.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has unanimously approved his $400 million White House ballroom project, bringing the massive undertaking a step closer to full approval. The planning commission is set to consider the 90,000-square-foot addition to the White House's East Wing on March 5, but federal courts are also scrutinizing the project.

Why it matters

This project has faced significant scrutiny and legal challenges, as the previous building was demolished without approval from Congress. The approval by the Commission of Fine Arts is an important milestone, but the project still faces hurdles from the planning commission and the courts.

The details

Trump replaced all six members of the Fine Arts Commission last year, while his former personal lawyer, Will Scharf, chairs the planning commission. The president announced that the Fine Arts Commission approved the project 'unanimously, 6 to 0, with one recusal' and praised the 'great accolades' paid to the building's 'beauty and scale'.

  • On February 19, 2026, Trump announced the Fine Arts Commission's approval of the project.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission is set to consider the project for 'approval of preliminary and final site and building plans' on March 5, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who proposed the $400 million White House ballroom project.

Will Scharf

The former personal lawyer of Donald Trump who now chairs the National Capital Planning Commission.

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

The federal body responsible for overseeing key D.C.-area projects, which unanimously approved Trump's White House ballroom project.

National Capital Planning Commission

The other federal body responsible for overseeing key D.C.-area projects, which is set to consider the White House ballroom project for approval on March 5, 2026.

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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.”

— Donald Trump, Former U.S. President (Truth Social)

What’s next

The National Capital Planning Commission is set to consider the project for 'approval of preliminary and final site and building plans' on March 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This project has faced significant scrutiny and legal challenges, and the approval by the Commission of Fine Arts is an important milestone, but the project still faces hurdles from the planning commission and the courts before it can move forward.