Trump hosts grand White House dinner honoring donors behind $250M ballroom project
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet at the White House on Wednesday, hosting nearly 130 top donors, corporate leaders, and political allies for a glittering dinner celebrating contributions toward the construction of a new $250 million ballroom.
The exclusive event, which Trump described as a tribute to supporters of what he called a “phenomenal” project, marked the most extensive renovation of the White House during his second term. The evening’s guest list included a who’s who of business and politics from Silicon Valley to Wall Street.
Donald Trump celebrates $250 million White House ballroom project
During his remarks, Trump hailed the new ballroom as a modern addition designed to “complement the White House’s historic aesthetic.”
He revealed that the structure would feature bulletproof glass on all four sides and could accommodate up to 999 guests, significantly higher than the 650-person estimate previously shared by White House officials. “To me, there’s nothing like the White House,” Trump told attendees, adding that he expected to have funds left over once the construction was completed.
The ballroom, planned near the East Wing, will span roughly 90,000 square feet, making it one of the largest spaces on the White House grounds.
According to White House staff secretary Will Scharf, who also chairs the National Capital Planning Commission, presidential projects like this do not require external approvals.
Trump reportedly told guests that “there are no zoning requirements for the president of the United States,” suggesting he would proceed freely with the design.
Star-studded guest list for Trump’s White House dinner
Representatives from Amazon, Apple, Booz Allen Hamilton, Coinbase, Comcast, Google, Lockheed Martin, Meta Platforms, and T-Mobile were among those present. Prominent figures included oil magnate Harold Hamm, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, and crypto entrepreneurs Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. The Miriam Adelson Family Foundation also sent representatives.
Also spotted were Trump campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, and longtime adviser Jason Miller, many of whom were seen mingling with donors in the candlelit State Dining Room.
Guests enjoyed a multi-course gourmet meal featuring heirloom tomato panzanella salad, beef Wellington, and roasted Anjou pears with butterscotch ice cream, all served on gold-trimmed plates with tables decorated with white floral centerpieces and tall candles.
A night of elegance and new plans unveiled
The event wasn’t only about gratitude, Trump also used the dinner to unveil an ambitious new project: a grand arch on the Arlington Memorial Bridge, connecting Virginia and Washington, DC.
Displaying miniature models of the design, Trump said the monument would be topped with Lady Liberty and stand as a symbol of “American greatness.”
“It’s going to be really beautiful,” Trump said, drawing applause from guests.
The arch proposal, like the ballroom project, underscores Trump’s desire to leave a lasting architectural legacy in Washington during his second term.
