The president said in July: “It will be beautiful. It won’t interfere with the current building. It won’t be – it will be near it, but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of. It’s my favourite.”
Trump moved ahead with construction despite a lack of sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency that has jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region.
The president says the project will be paid for with private donations and that no public money will be spent on the ballroom. The White House invited some of the donors to an East Room dinner last week but has not released a comprehensive list and breakdown of funds.
Renderings released by the White House suggest a distinct resemblance to the gilded ballroom at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club and home in Palm Beach, Florida.
The project also has grown in size since it was announced, going from accommodating 650 seated guests to holding 999 people, big enough to fit an inauguration if needed, and the windows will be bulletproof, Trump has said.
But the National Trust for Historic Preservation has asked the Trump administration to pause the demolition, expressing concern that the proposed 90,000 square foot ballroom “will overwhelm the White House itself”. The executive residence is 55,000 square feet.
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| Trump's ballroom |
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