Fact Check: Did Trump import steel from Luxembourg for White House ballroom project?
WASHINGTON, DC: Social media users began claiming that US President Donald Trump plans to use $37 million worth of steel from Luxembourg for a new White House ballroom.
The project is part of a larger construction effort underway at the White House, where a 90,000-square-foot State Ballroom is being built on the site of the former East Wing, which was demolished in October 2025.
The multi-million-dollar project, reportedly funded by private donors, is designed to host large official events and is scheduled for completion before the end of Trump's second term.
Claim: Trump secures steel from Luxembourg for White House ballroom project
Two anonymous sources familiar with the White House ballroom project told The New York Times that Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal is donating tens of millions of dollars' worth of steel for the construction.
On April 8, The New York Times published a report titled 'White House Secures Foreign Steel for Ballroom Project,' stating that Trump had previously said he was offered a $37 million steel donation but did not name the donor. The report also said ArcelorMittal is supplying steel for the project, with production taking place in Europe, where most of its manufacturing occurs.
The article further noted that the White House has not fully disclosed details of the donation. It also referenced Trump’s earlier comments from October, when he said he had been offered a $37 million steel donation for the ballroom.
The rumor spread after social media posts claimed that Trump was building the White House ballroom using $37 million worth of steel from Luxembourg. The claim went viral across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, with some users criticizing Trump for contradicting his support of the US steel industry.
Fact Check: Unconfirmed, no proof to support the claim
Fact-checkers found that on October 15, 2025, Donald Trump said he had been offered a $37 million steel donation for a White House ballroom project. However, he did not reveal the donor's name.
According to The New York Times, Trump described the donor only as a “steel company” and said the person offered to provide steel for the ballroom. He mentioned the estimated value as $37 million but did not give any further details about who made the offer.
Because the White House has not confirmed any details, it is unclear whether Trump was referring to the same donation later linked to Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal.
The Times also reported that a White House tariff decision on October 17, 2025, could benefit some steel producers. The policy allows reduced tariffs for companies that supply materials from production facilities in Canada or Mexico and meet certain conditions.
ArcelorMittal produces automotive steel in Canada and exports it to the United States. The company also announced an expansion in Alabama in early 2025, which could make it eligible for future tariff reductions under the new rules.
However, there is no public evidence linking the tariff changes directly to the alleged steel donation. Without official confirmation, the claim cannot be confirmed as fact.
