Trump Administration Races to Fast-Track $400 Million East Wing Ballroom in Record Nine-Week Timeline

The Trump administration has moved to secure approval for a proposed $400 million East Wing ballroom within nine weeks—a timeline starkly contrasting with the years typically required for similar federal construction projects.

According to plans, the project would progress through review stages with an informational presentation at the National Capital Planning Commission scheduled for January 8, followed by a session at the Commission of Fine Arts on January 15. Final votes are set for February 19 at the CFA and March 5 at the NCPC.

A White House official confirmed applications were formally submitted to both committees on December 22, though the National Capital Planning Commission later stated it had not received them. The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the administration in December over the construction, alleging the project proceeded without legally required reviews or approvals.

“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever—not President Trump, not President Biden, and not anyone else,” the lawsuit stated. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied the group’s request for a temporary restraining order, noting the government must be prepared to reverse any below-ground construction that dictates specific design elements.

Since returning to office in January, the president has implemented significant changes to White House grounds, including installing gold decorations throughout the Oval Office and paving over the Rose Garden lawn to create a patio resembling his Mar-a-Lago estate. The envisioned 90,000-square-foot ballroom would far exceed these modifications.

During a recent Hanukkah reception at the White House, President Trump described the project’s cost as $400 million—up from an earlier estimate of $300 million. A White House spokesperson defended the initiative, stating: “President Trump has full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House—just like all his predecessors did.”