Trump Confirms Military Building Vast Complex Beneath White House Ballroom

The new 90,000-square-foot event space will essentially serve as a 'shed' for the underground military facility.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A fractured, abstract painting of an underground military complex with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of dark colors, conceptually representing the secrecy and complexity of the reported construction project.An illustration of the secretive military construction project reportedly underway beneath the new White House ballroom.Washington Today

President Trump has revealed that the military is constructing a "massive complex" beneath the new White House ballroom project, which he says is "ahead of schedule." Trump stated that the high-profile event space will essentially become a "shed" for the underground military facility, adding that the information about the project has recently come to light due to a "stupid lawsuit."

Why it matters

The revelation of an extensive military complex being built beneath the White House raises questions about the purpose and scope of the project, as well as concerns over transparency and the potential impact on the historic property. The ballroom renovation has already drawn criticism from Democrats and preservationists, and this new development is likely to further inflame those tensions.

The details

According to Trump's comments, the military is building a large, undisclosed facility underneath the new 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom. Previous reports had focused on the renovation of an existing East Wing bunker, but Trump's statements suggest a much larger and more ambitious project is underway. The ballroom itself, which is estimated to cost around $400 million, has been a controversial endeavor, with critics arguing it is an unnecessary extravagance and that the demolition of the existing East Wing structure is damaging to the historic property.

  • Trump revealed the details about the military complex on Sunday, March 31, 2026, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.
  • The East Wing was demolished in October to make way for the ballroom construction.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who confirmed the details about the military complex being built beneath the White House ballroom.

National Capital Planning Commission

The government agency that will vote on the design of the new White House ballroom in April 2026 after receiving negative public feedback.

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What they’re saying

“The ballroom essentially becomes a shed for what's being built under.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

The National Capital Planning Commission will vote on the design of the new White House ballroom in April 2026, after receiving a wave of sharply negative public feedback. The fate of the controversial project, and the details of the military complex being built beneath it, remain to be seen.

The takeaway

The revelation of a secretive military facility being constructed under the new White House ballroom has raised significant concerns about transparency, the use of public funds, and the potential impact on the historic property. This development is likely to further intensify the ongoing debate and opposition surrounding the ballroom project.