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

The president thanked the Kentucky senator for voting to approve plans for the new White House ballroom, despite their contentious relationship.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:19pm

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A cinematic painting of the White House at dusk, with the faint outline of a new ballroom addition visible in the background, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the political tensions surrounding the construction project.The controversial White House ballroom project, approved by the National Capital Planning Commission despite legal challenges, casts a long shadow over the historic residence.Washington Today

President Donald Trump gave a rare shout-out to Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a longtime critic, after Paul 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 issues like tariffs and foreign policy. However, Trump praised Paul for being an "extraordinarily difficult vote" who ultimately voted "a strong YES" on the ballroom project.

Why it matters

The approval of the White House ballroom project has faced legal challenges, with a federal judge recently halting construction and ruling that the president does not have the authority to unilaterally approve the project. Trump's rare praise for his critic Rand Paul highlights the political divisions and tensions surrounding the controversial ballroom plan.

The details

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-1 to approve the plans for the new 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, despite the federal judge's ruling that the project requires Congressional approval. Commission chair Will Scharf said the judge's decision only prevented construction, allowing them to move forward with consideration of the project. The ballroom is slated for completion by 2028 but faces an uncertain timeline as the Trump administration plans to appeal the judge's decision.

  • On Thursday, the National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve the White House ballroom plans.
  • In late March, Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote in favor of a war powers resolution aiming to limit the president's ability to continue foreign military intervention.
  • In November, Trump called Rand Paul a 'sick Wacko'.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who is pushing for the construction of a new White House ballroom.

Rand Paul

The Republican senator from Kentucky who has been a longtime critic of President Trump but surprisingly voted to approve the White House ballroom plans.

Will Scharf

The chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, which voted to approve the White House ballroom project.

Leon

A federal judge who ruled that the construction of the White House ballroom must receive Congressional approval, halting 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. I am pleased to announce that even Board Member Senator Rand Paul, known as an extraordinarily difficult vote, voted a strong YES.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner! No statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”

— Leon, Federal Judge

“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 decision halting construction of the White House ballroom project.

The takeaway

The approval of the controversial White House ballroom plan has highlighted the ongoing political divisions and tensions between President Trump and his critics, including longtime Republican foe Rand Paul. The project faces legal hurdles, but Trump's rare praise for Paul underscores the complex dynamics at play.