Here's everything you need to know about the new ballroom being built at "The People's House"
Call it Extreme Makeover: White House Edition. From the “goldening” of the Oval Office in all its gilded glory to paving over Jackie Kennedy’s Rose Garden, Donald Trump—like other presidents before him—is making his mark on the historical landmark. And his biggest renovation project just got started: building the new White House State Ballroom.
The White House calls the ballroom “a transformative addition that will significantly increase the White House’s capacity to host major functions honoring world leaders, foreign nations and other dignitaries.” This approximately 90,000-square-foot addition, with seating for 650, will be “ornately designed and carefully crafted,” according to the White House. For reference, the main part of the White House itself is 55,000 square feet.
But in order for the ballroom to go up, the East Wing of the White House had to be removed. So, in mid-October, excavators and bulldozers descended upon 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to demolish this section of the historic building.
Yet, as with many makeovers (looking at you, Cracker Barrel), the renovations to “the People’s House” are not without controversy. Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, spoke out against the project, noting that the construction of the ballroom may “permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House with its two smaller, and lower, East and West Wings.”
And that’s not all. Critics are questioning everything from the size and scope of the project to the lack of congressional oversight. But what’s the truth? And just how different is this presidential plan from the others that came before it?
We scoured the web for the best news articles and videos for additional context about the historic house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, its previous renovations and the present-day addition of a new ballroom.
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The White House has a storied history
Construction began on the White House in 1792, and John Adams was the first president to live in it. The second president, along with his wife, Abigail, moved into the unfinished residence in 1800. The wings were not added until a century later.
Discovered on National Archives
Parts of the White House were destroyed during the War of 1812
In 1814, during the War of 1812, the British set fire to the White House (then known as the President’s House), leaving it a burnt-out shell. It was rebuilt by 1818—allowing James Monroe, our nation’s fifth president, to move in.
Discovered on The White House Historical Association
The East Wing wasn’t part of the original design
Its history begins in 1902, when the East Terrace was constructed during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency; he also added the West Wing. The East Terrace originally served as a visitors entrance and became part of the East Wing in 1942, during White House renovations under Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Discovered on The White House Historical Association
The East Wing served various purposes over the years
The purpose of the East Wing was to house additional staff and offices—a necessity, given the growing complexity of the federal government during World War II—conceal an underground bunker and provide space for the first lady’s staff and social functions.
Discovered on The Guardian
This isn’t the first major renovation of the White House
From Thomas Jefferson to Theodore Roosevelt, numerous presidents throughout American history have left their mark on the White House. Prior to 2025, the biggest renovation of the White House took place between 1948 and 1952, when Harry Truman gutted the building’s interior to fix serious structural problems.
Discovered on The White House Historical Association
Some agree that the White House needs a new ballroom
Both Republicans and Democrats have acknowledged that the former event spaces, the State Dining Room and the East Room, were too small and posed challenges when hosting state dinners.
Discovered on The Hill
The current renovations are controversial among preservationists …
In an interview with NPR, Priya Jain, the chair of the Society of Architectural Historians’ Heritage Conservation Committee, pointed out that all the changes to the White House since 1942 have been limited to the interior. “And the ones on the exterior either involved simple restoration or minor site additions like the tennis court and the pavilion, which are limited by their scope, size and visibility to have any negative impact on the historic building,” she said.
Discovered on NPR
… and politicians
“The East Wing of the White House is being demolished so that Donald Trump can construct a ballroom where he will be celebrated like a king,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said on Oct. 22.
Discovered on C-Span
The White House didn’t seek approval for the new ballroom
Typically, any construction of federal buildings in Washington, D.C., is overseen by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which was established under the National Capital Planning Act of 1952. The White House has yet to submit its plans for the new ballroom, but a White House official told ABC News that it still intends to do so—despite the demolition of the East Wing being complete.
Discovered on ABC News
Previous presidents submitted their plans to the NCPC
A 1966 law known as the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the impact any construction projects might have on historic properties and undergo a review process—including getting public input. However, three buildings are exempt from this review process: the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court building. Previous presidents have voluntarily submitted their plans to the NCPC.
Discovered on BBC News
The new ballroom will cost $300 million
In July, the White House estimated that the ballroom would cost approximately $200 million to build. Since then, the budget has increased significantly, likely because the ballroom will now be larger than initially planned. On Oct. 22, Trump announced that his construction project will now cost $300 million.
Discovered on CNN
Congress is usually in charge of the budget for renovations
Historically, it has been up to Congress to approve the funds for any renovations, repairs, refurnishing, maintenance and structural improvements carried out on the White House. However, some presidents, including Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and now Trump have turned down the appropriated funds and paid for furnishings for the Oval Office and residence out of their own pocket.
Discovered on The White House Historical Association
Trump raised money to build the ballroom
Trump has repeatedly said that the new ballroom will be built “with zero cost to the American Taxpayer,” including in a post on Truth Social. Instead, he claims that the funding will come from himself and other donors—including large corporations.
Discovered on The White House
Several large corporations are donating funds to build the ballroom
The White House has announced the names of a number of the ballroom’s corporate donors. These include: Amazon, Apple, Comcast Corporation, Google, HP Inc., Lockheed Martin, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, T-Mobile and Union Pacific Railroad.
Discovered on CNN
The president will likely name the ballroom after himself
Though no official announcement has been made, Trump administration staffers are already referring to it as “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom”—a name that’s likely to stay, a White House official told ABC News. Trump has famously named his buildings, golf courses and various business ventures after himself, including Trump Tower, Trump Steaks, Trump University and Trump Winery.
Discovered on ABC News
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