Trump Touts White House Ballroom Project as 'Ahead of Schedule'

President defends $400 million renovation despite legal challenges from historic preservation group.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cinematic painting depicting the demolition of the White House East Wing, with the structure bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the controversial nature of the renovation project.The demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for a new $400 million ballroom project has sparked legal challenges and political debate over the preservation of historic buildings in the nation's capital.NYC Today

President Donald Trump said the planned White House ballroom is 'ahead of schedule and under budget' despite a lawsuit seeking to halt the $400 million project. Trump showed off new renderings of the ballroom and defended the demolition of the White House East Wing, describing it as a 'shed' for a 'massive' military complex being built underneath. The president said the ballroom will have 'high-grade, bullet-proof' glass windows and a drone-proof roof, noting 'we're living in an age where that is a good thing'.

Why it matters

The White House ballroom project has faced legal and political challenges, including a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation alleging the administration bypassed required reviews and public input. The renovation is part of Trump's broader effort to reshape Washington, D.C. and its historic buildings.

The details

Trump showed off new renderings of the planned White House ballroom as he defended the $400 million project, which required the demolition of the White House East Wing. The president said the ballroom is 'ahead of schedule and under budget' despite the ongoing lawsuit seeking to halt construction. Trump described the ballroom as a 'shed' for a 'massive' military complex being built underneath, and said it will have 'high-grade, bullet-proof' glass windows and a drone-proof roof.

  • Trump made the comments on Sunday, March 29, 2026 while returning to Washington on Air Force One after a weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
  • A federal judge has said he will decide by the end of March 2026 whether to issue an injunction halting the project while the lawsuit proceeds.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who is overseeing the $400 million White House ballroom renovation project.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

A nonprofit organization that has filed a lawsuit alleging the Trump administration bypassed required reviews and public input for the White House ballroom project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're doing very well, so we're ahead of schedule.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Unfortunately we're living in an age where that is a good thing.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

A federal judge will decide by the end of March 2026 whether to issue an injunction halting the White House ballroom project while the lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation proceeds.

The takeaway

The White House ballroom renovation has become a politically charged issue, with the Trump administration touting the project's progress while facing legal challenges from historic preservation groups concerned about the lack of public input and oversight. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of the project and Trump's broader efforts to reshape Washington's historic buildings.