Judge blocks Trump's $400M White House ballroom project

The former president's plan to build a lavish new ballroom has been halted for now.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:14pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty White House hallway, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the floor and walls, conceptually representing the debates over the former president's proposed ballroom project.The judge's decision to halt the former president's lavish White House ballroom project reflects ongoing debates over the appropriate use of the presidential residence.Washington Today

A federal judge has temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump from moving forward with his $400 million plan to construct a new ballroom addition to the White House. The judge cited concerns over the project's costs and the potential misuse of public funds.

Why it matters

The proposed White House ballroom project has been a controversial topic, with critics arguing that it represents an unnecessary extravagance and a potential misuse of taxpayer money. The judge's decision to halt the project for now reflects ongoing debates over the appropriate use of the presidential residence and the limits of executive power.

The details

Trump had proposed building a large, ornate ballroom on the White House grounds, with plans calling for a $400 million price tag. However, the judge ruled that the project could not proceed due to concerns over the high costs and the potential for the misuse of public funds.

  • The judge issued the temporary halt on March 31, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who proposed the $400 million White House ballroom project.

Federal Judge

The judge who issued the temporary halt on the ballroom project, citing concerns over costs and the potential misuse of public funds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not allow the White House to be turned into a personal vanity project for the former president. Taxpayer money should be spent responsibly, not on lavish additions that serve no public purpose.”

— Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The judge has scheduled a hearing for next month to further consider the legality and merits of the proposed ballroom project.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the ongoing debates over the appropriate use of the White House and the limits of executive power, as well as the importance of scrutinizing government spending to ensure it serves the public interest.