Trump White House ballroom cost reported at $600 million
7 reported
A new report from the Washington Post has provided updated details on the cost and funding of a ballroom being built by the Trump administration on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House. According to the report, the estimated price tag for the project is $600 million, with more than half of that amount expected to come from taxpayer dollars. This contradicts previous promises from President Trump that the ballroom would be funded entirely by private donors. The cost has increased significantly from earlier estimates, which started at $200 million, then rose to $300 million, and later $400 million. The article notes that Trump previously attempted to secure taxpayer funding for the project through a Senate immigration funding bill in May, which included $1 billion for an “East Wing Modernization Project,” but that money was later removed. The ballroom’s rising cost is attributed to its expanded scope, which now includes a subterranean military complex, a hospital, and what Trump described as “the greatest drone empire that you’ve ever seen.” The administration has cited national security features as justification for the construction, and the project is reportedly being built at double time to “outrun” court rulings that could halt it.
What’s reported
The Washington Post reported new details about the ballroom’s cost and funding on Tuesday.
The estimated price tag is $600 million, with more than half coming from taxpayer dollars.
Trump previously promised the ballroom would be funded entirely by private donors.
The cost has tripled from the initial estimate of $200 million, later rising to $300 million and $400 million.
In May, a Senate immigration funding bill contained $1 billion for an “East Wing Modernization Project,” which was later stripped.
The ballroom’s expanded scope includes a subterranean military complex, a hospital, and a “drone empire.”
The Wall Street Journal reported the project is being built at double time to “outrun” court rulings.
Key figures
Donald Trump, President of the United States
The Washington Post (source of cost details)
The Wall Street Journal (source of construction timeline details)
Sources: vox.com
