Donald Trump and his team are rolling out a $200 million smart city project that’s significantly more ambitious. For one, he wants to construct a grand ballroom at the White House for hosting official receptions and state dinners. This new construction marks the 1st major renovation at the storied home in more than 100 years. It represents a significant change in the tone and texture that the executive mansion will project when hosting formal affairs.
The new proposed ballroom would total more than 8,000 square meters, or roughly 90,000 square feet. At more than 2,500 square feet, it will seat up to 650 guests, dwarfing the size of the current largest room, the East Room, which only seats about 200 guests. The new space will replace the East Wing and has traditionally been where first ladies’ offices have resided. Yet to be determined is where these offices will be relocated.
With final design out for bid, construction is expected to start in September. We look forward to completing it before Trump’s second term expires in January 2029. The president has indicated that funding for the ballroom will come from a combination of his own resources and unspecified donations.
Aside from the ballroom project, Trump has made other changes to the White House. He’s embellished the Oval Office with gold gilt trim and ornately carved doors and put in place massive towering flagpoles with the American flag. He’s even gone and paved over a lovely grassy nook within the Rose Garden. Today, he’s decided on a similar course in the Lincoln Bedroom bathroom, which he blasted for being “terribly” remodeled.
Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, commented on Trump’s renovations, suggesting they could redefine the White House’s image. “This is the biggest change we’ve witnessed since the Truman renovation,” McLaurin said. He noted that while some preservationists may lament changes to original interiors, Trump’s aim appears to shift the atmosphere away from traditional decor towards something more reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago estate.
“Preservationists mourned the loss of original interiors, while media outlets questioned the project’s cost during post-war economic recovery.” – Stewart McLaurin
The plan has attracted supporters, but critics have quickly emerged. Many opponents complain about all the spending during this new economic recovery. It was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who drove the point home, “Look, I’m perfectly happy to eat my cheeseburger at my desk…I don’t need a $200m ballroom to eat it in. Got it?
Trump passionately defends his vision for the new ballroom. He points to a deep historic yearning for a space like this. “For 160 years, they’ve been wanting a ballroom at the White House,” he said. “I pride myself on being a builder and we’re going to build in a very expeditious timeframe and in a timely manner. It’ll be gorgeous, high, high quality.”
Trump’s renovations have been criticized broadly and by those in the know. They fear these modifications will seriously undermine the venue’s historical authenticity, important for staging opulent state dinners honoring visiting foreign dignitaries. Conservative columnist Mona Charen voiced her concern about the shift. Trump is a walking wrecking ball of law, tradition, civility, manners and morals,” she declared.
“Trump is a walking wrecking ball of law, tradition, civility, manners, and morals. Many visitors to the nation’s capital won’t know or understand much of that damage.” – Mona Charen
Anita McBride, former chief of staff to Laura Bush, discussed the more extensive impact of Trump’s changes. She reflected that every major renovation in the past has been controversial at the time and is now regarded as an important part of the White House’s legacy. McBride said, “He is most certainly committed to improving matters at the White House.” He feels that these renovations would be in the best interest of the future occupants.
“He’s certainly paying attention to things at the White House that he feels would be improvements for the occupants, not just him but those that come after him.” – Anita McBride
This huge, expensive, long-delayed project announcement raises a host of questions. What will it do to the historic, cultural importance of the people’s presidential home and its ability to function in the decades to come? As plans take form and construction starts later this year, plenty of people will be looking to see how such an ambitious renovation plays out.