Trump says his ‘Great Ballroom’ will host future presidential inaugurations

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is already eyeing a new stage for future presidential swearing-in ceremonies, and it’s not Capitol Hill. Instead, he is pitching his planned White House ballroom as the potential new venue for future inaugurations.

Trump proposes White House ballroom for inaugurations

Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday, February 10, Trump unveiled a new rendering of the redesigned East Wing structure, showing what he described as his “on budget, and ahead of schedule” White House Ballroom. The image displayed the project from the rear of the White House grounds.

"Two views of the Great Ballroom being built on the site of our wonderful White House, It is on budget, and ahead of schedule!" Trump, 79, gushed as he shared the designs. "When completed, it will be the finest Ballroom ever built anywhere in the World, one that has been sought by presidents for over 150 years, and now they are getting THE BEST!" he added. "Because of its unprecedented structural, safety, and security features, it will also be used for future presidential inaugurations."

Presidential inaugurations have traditionally been held at the US Capitol, serving as a ceremonial handoff of power in front of Congress and the American public. 

However, constitutional rules surrounding the event leave some wiggle room. According to the Library of Congress, the Constitution outlines the specific language required for the inaugural oath but does not set a required location for the ceremony.

The Library of Congress notes that in modern times, "inaugurations usually take place on the west front of the US Capitol," while also pointing out that "there have been many other inauguration sites in the nation's history."

White House East Wing renovation adds 22,000-square-foot ballroom

The proposed overhaul of the East Wing is notably ambitious in both size and scope. Bloomberg reported that the reconstructed structure will span roughly 89,000 square feet, anchored by a 22,000-square-foot banquet hall. That centerpiece alone would rank among the largest dining venues in DC.

Beyond the banquet hall, the updated East Wing is expected to house a new movie theater and office space for First Lady Melania Trump and her staff. The ballroom complex will be built across two levels. One floor is planned to include office space and a screening room, while another level will contain the main banquet hall. The building’s exterior is slated to be constructed using stone and pre-cast concrete.

The latest rendering marks yet another milestone in a project that has already altered the original White House footprint. The historic East Wing was demolished last October to clear the way for the new ballroom facility.

$400M White House ballroom faces legal challenge

The ballroom’s price tag has also increased considerably. Early estimates placed construction costs at roughly $200 million, but Trump later disclosed that expenses had doubled. During a Hanukkah reception at the White House in December, Trump said the expanded budget was privately funded.

"We’re donating a $400 million ballroom," Trump said at the time. "Myself and donors are giving them, free of charge, for nothing."

The project has faced pushback from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed a lawsuit attempting to halt construction. The group argues that a renovation of this magnitude should require congressional authorization and funding.

In January, a federal judge reviewing the case raised concerns about the administration’s argument that the President has the authority to carry out the renovation using private donations, thereby bypassing congressional approval. US District Judge Richard Leon said he will "hopefully" rule this month on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s challenge to the project.

The Trump administration has defended the funding model, maintaining that relying on private donations prevents the burden from falling on taxpayers. Still, congressional Democrats have raised objections and suggested the plan “exploits gaps in federal disclosure rules that Congress should tighten.”

Administration officials also contend that the White House has legal standing to accept gifts through the Department of the Interior and argue that Congress has previously approved changes to the White House complex. Judge Leon noted that regardless of how he rules, he expects the case to be appealed and possibly taken up by the Supreme Court.