Trump Defends White House Ballroom Expansion as Secret Military Complex

Former president claims $200 million, 90,000-square-foot East Wing project hides underground military facility.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting of the White House ballroom interior, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows, suggesting a sense of mystery and hidden activity beneath the surface.The controversial expansion of the White House East Wing has sparked claims of a hidden military facility being built beneath the new ballroom.Washington Today

Former President Donald Trump has defended his controversial $200 million expansion of the White House East Wing, claiming the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom is actually covering the construction of a "massive" secret military complex underneath. Trump made the remarks after a recent lawsuit revealed details about the ongoing construction project.

Why it matters

The former president's claims about a hidden military facility beneath the White House have raised concerns about potential misuse of public funds and resources, as well as questions about transparency and oversight of sensitive government projects.

The details

According to Trump, the military is building a large complex under the new White House ballroom, which he says has come to light due to a recent "stupid lawsuit." The former president provided few specifics about the nature or purpose of the alleged underground facility.

  • Cranes were spotted near the White House in early 2026 as the next steps to President Trump's $200 million, 90,000-square-foot expansion of the East Wing began.
  • The details of the secret military complex were revealed through a recent lawsuit filed against the project.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who oversaw the controversial White House expansion project and has claimed it is hiding a secret military complex.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Now the military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed, but the military's building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that's under construction and we're doing very well.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

The takeaway

The former president's claims about a hidden military facility beneath the White House expansion project raise serious concerns about government transparency and the potential misuse of public resources. Ongoing scrutiny and oversight will be crucial to ensure any sensitive construction projects are being handled appropriately.