President Donald Trump’s announcement of a grand new ballroom for the White House has set off a wave of excitement, debate, and even some good old-fashioned Washington drama. With demolition crews tearing into the East Wing’s facade on Monday, October 20, 2025, the capital is buzzing about the first major renovation to the historic residence in nearly eight decades. The $250 million project, designed to host larger state dinners and high-profile events, is being touted as both a symbol of American ambition and a flashpoint for political disagreement.
Trump’s vision is nothing if not ambitious. According to NPR, the new ballroom will extend from the East Room and is expected to hold up to 650 guests—though the president, never one to shy away from a bold claim, said this week it may actually accommodate “999” people. The project, designed by McCrery Architects and built by Clark Construction, will add a whopping 90,000 square feet to the White House grounds. For a building steeped in history, that’s no small change.
“For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. He added, “The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!”
Indeed, the funding for the project has become one of its most hotly discussed aspects. The White House has been quick to emphasize that not a single taxpayer dollar will be spent. Instead, a roster of private donors—including President Trump himself—are footing the bill. Trump, whose personal wealth is valued at $7.1 billion, has committed an undisclosed portion of his fortune to the effort.
Corporate America is also getting in on the act. Lockheed Martin, the aerospace and defense giant, has reportedly pledged more than $10 million to the ballroom’s construction. “Lockheed Martin is grateful for the opportunity to help bring the President’s vision to reality and make this addition to the People’s House, a powerful symbol of the American ideals we work to defend every day,” the company said in a statement to The Hill.
Management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton has signaled its intention to help fund the massive expansion, attending a donor dinner at the White House last Wednesday. Blackstone CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman is also expected to contribute, joining a growing list of high-profile backers. According to guest lists obtained by The Hill, tech titans like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Coinbase, Comcast, T-Mobile, the Adelson Family Foundation, and crypto investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have all been identified as potential donors.
One of the most eye-catching sources of funding comes from a recent legal settlement. Last month, YouTube agreed to pay Trump $24.5 million after a four-year legal battle over the removal of his account following the 2021 Capitol riot. Of that sum, $22 million is earmarked for the ballroom project. Google, which owns YouTube, has separately committed at least $5 million, and executives from both Google and its parent company, Alphabet, were seen at last week’s White House donor dinner. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai even received personal congratulations from Trump for a favorable legal ruling, as reported by White House pool reports.
Contributions aren’t limited to cash. Carrier Global Corp. has offered to provide state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for the new space. “Carrier is honored to provide the new iconic ballroom at the White House with a world-class, energy-efficient HVAC system, bringing comfort to distinguished guests and dignitaries in this historic setting for years to come,” the company told The Associated Press.
Of course, not everyone is celebrating. The timing and scale of the demolition have drawn sharp criticism, especially as the United States endures its 22nd day of a federal government shutdown. With federal employees missing paychecks and facing layoffs, some see the construction as tone-deaf at best. Former New York Senator and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton minced no words, posting on X: “It’s not his house. It’s your house. And he’s destroying it.”
Trump, for his part, has dismissed the criticism, calling the East Wing demolition “beautiful construction” during a Tuesday news conference. “We’re putting up our own money, the government is paying for nothing,” he told reporters. The White House Rapid Response team echoed this sentiment, posting on social media: “For more than a century, U.S. Presidents have been renovating, expanding, and modernizing the White House to meet the needs of the present day.” They pointed to historical precedents such as the 1902 construction of the West Wing and the 2009 conversion of a tennis court into a basketball court.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson was quick to defend the project, telling reporters on Wednesday, “The White House has been renovated many times. The ballroom is going to be glorious. It’s gonna be used for everybody. And by the way, hey, Democrats, if you win the White House back, you get to use it too.” Johnson described the expansion as the “greatest improvement to the White House in the history of the building.”
Supporters see the ballroom as a much-needed upgrade that will benefit future administrations—regardless of party. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles put it this way: “President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail. The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.”
Donors, meanwhile, are being offered the prospect of “recognition associated with the White House Ballroom.” Companies are being asked to contribute either a lump sum or pay in up to three installments by 2027, according to CBS. The ballroom, once completed, will stand as a testament to both private philanthropy and the enduring allure of presidential legacy projects.
As site demolition continues, the debate rages on. Is the new ballroom a fitting symbol of American hospitality and vision, or an unnecessary extravagance in challenging times? One thing’s for sure: the People’s House is about to get a lot more room for a party.