Trump Surveys $200M White House Ballroom Plans from Rooftop

Donald Trump visited the White House complex to inspect the site of a planned $200 million East Wing ballroom addition and renovation. The president, accompanied by architect James McCrery, walked on the roof of the building to view the future location of the ballroom and the West Wing roof. Trump stated that the project would be funded by him and unnamed donors, not taxpayers. The new ballroom is expected to seat 650 people, three times larger than the current largest room in the complex, the East Room.

Construction on the project is set to begin in September. The East Wing, which houses various offices and functions, will be heavily reconstructed once the ballroom is completed. The new event facility will replace the current East Wing structure and necessitate the temporary relocation of offices within the building. An interior rendering of the ballroom shows a grand hall with ornate ceilings and chandeliers, featuring gold leaf accents throughout.

Trump's renovations at the White House also include updates to the Oval Office and the conversion of the Kennedy Rose Garden into a patio. The president has made changes to the Oval Office decor, adding gold leaf paint to various surfaces. The iconic Rose Garden now has a paved surface instead of grass, while retaining the original rose bushes. Trump's efforts to update the White House's appearance align with his preferences and aesthetic choices.