Trump Praises Persistent GOP Critic Rand Paul After White House Ballroom Vote

The President thanked the Kentucky senator for his surprise 'yes' vote on the $400 million project despite their contentious history.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty, sunlit White House ballroom, capturing the quiet tension and political complexities surrounding the administration's renovation plans.As partisan tensions escalate over the White House's ambitious renovation plans, the president's rare praise for a longtime critic hints at the political complexities surrounding the project.Washington Today

President Donald Trump gave a rare shout-out to longtime critic, Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, after he voted to approve plans for the new White House ballroom. The two have had a contentious relationship, including clashing during the 2015 GOP primary and trading barbs over policy issues. However, Trump praised Paul's 'yes' vote, calling him an 'extraordinarily difficult vote' who ultimately supported the $400 million project.

Why it matters

The approval of the White House ballroom project represents a rare moment of bipartisanship between Trump and one of his most persistent Republican critics. The vote also highlights the ongoing legal battles over the project, which a federal judge has ruled requires Congressional approval before construction can begin.

The details

In a post on Truth Social, Trump thanked the National Capital Planning Commission for overwhelmingly approving the plans for the 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, which is being funded by private donors. He specifically called out Sen. Rand Paul, known as a 'fiscal hawk,' for voting in favor of the project despite their history of clashing on issues like tariffs and foreign policy. However, a federal judge has ruled that the ballroom requires Congressional approval before construction can begin, a decision the Trump administration plans to appeal.

  • On Thursday, the National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-1 to approve plans for the White House ballroom project.
  • In late March, Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote in favor of a war powers resolution aimed at limiting the president's ability to continue foreign military intervention.

The players

Donald Trump

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

Rand Paul

The Republican senator from Kentucky who has been a persistent critic of Trump but surprisingly voted in favor of the White House ballroom project.

National Capital Planning Commission

The federal agency that voted to approve plans for the White House ballroom project despite a federal judge's ruling that it requires Congressional approval.

Leon

The federal judge who ruled that the White House ballroom project must receive Congressional approval before construction can begin.

Will Scharf

The chair of the National Capital Planning Commission who said the agency would 'move past' the judge's ruling and continue considering the project.

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What they’re saying

“I would like to thank the hardworking Commissioners and Staff of the National Capital Planning Commission, who just voted overwhelmingly, 8-1, to approve the magnificent White House Ballroom now rising on this Hallowed Ground.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“We'll move past that and continue our consideration of the East Wing modernization project.”

— Will Scharf, Chair, National Capital Planning Commission

What’s next

The Trump administration plans to appeal the federal judge's ruling that the White House ballroom project requires Congressional approval before construction can begin.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and his Republican critics like Rand Paul, as well as the legal challenges facing the White House ballroom project. Despite the approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, the future of the $400 million project remains uncertain as it faces additional hurdles in the courts.