The proposed White House ballroom will cost up to $400 million, and US President Donald Trump said it would also be equipped to host future inaugurations, Bloomberg reports, according to UNN.
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Trump gave the latest estimate on Tuesday evening, while predicting that the project would cost less than the stated value.
"For 150 years they wanted a ballroom," Trump said at a Hanukkah reception, lamenting that invitations to the event were limited. "It will be the most beautiful ballroom, and it will be able to host inaugurations."
He said inaugurations, which are usually held at the US Capitol, often have security and weather issues. "From a security standpoint, we can do better," he added. The proposed ballroom has 5-inch glass windows, "impervious to anything but a howitzer," he said.
Trump changed architects for White House ballroom05.12.25, 08:50 • [views_79302]
The proposed cost of the ballroom has steadily increased, from $200 million to Trump's latest estimate. The scope of the project has also expanded: Trump initially said it would "not interfere with the existing building," and then demolished the entire East Wing. Trump reportedly argued with architects over the scale of the project, which is expected to overshadow the existing White House residence and the West Wing, where the Oval Office is located.
The White House said the funding comes from private donations, but did not publicly specify them, raising questions about what individuals or companies might be funding it to curry favor with Trump.
Earlier on Tuesday, a federal judge overseeing a lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation did not halt work on the project, as litigation continues, CNN reported.
"I thank the judge in the case for the courage to make the right decision," Trump said.