Trump says new White House ballroom runs ‘six stories deep’ with fortress-style defenses

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 19, offered reporters a rare behind-the-scenes look at construction underway for the new White House ballroom, describing the project as far more than just an event space.

Standing outside the White House during a press walkthrough, Trump said the structure is being built as a heavily fortified facility designed to support presidential operations, emergency security needs, and large-scale gatherings.

Donald Trump says White House ballroom is built like a fortress

Trump described the project as running “six stories deep” underground and packed with military-grade security features, including missile defense systems, drone infrastructure, sniper positions, research facilities, and even a military hospital component.

“This goes down very deep,” Trump said while pointing toward the construction site. “You get a better view right over here. … These are already down two floors. That is down about six stories deep. That's big stuff.”

“Normally, when you build a ballroom, you build it flat. You just throw the ballroom. It would have been built,” he added.

The president explained that the structure was intentionally engineered as a hardened security facility capable of supporting emergency operations and protecting the White House complex during high-risk situations.

Trump said the building would feature “impenetrable” steel, four-inch-thick glass, and roughly 9,000 pounds of concrete as part of the reinforced construction.

The president also claimed the structure would house a military hospital, research facilities, multiple meeting rooms, and security systems connected to missile and drone defense operations.

The roof itself, according to Trump, was specially designed with military use in mind.

“The roof is dead flat with absolutely nothing but strength on it,” he said.

Trump added that the rooftop would function as a “drone port” capable of handling “unlimited numbers of drones” while also supporting military positioning.

Donald Trump highlights sniper positions and security upgrades

One of the more striking moments during Trump’s remarks came when he discussed sniper capabilities integrated into the structure.

“I hate to use the word snipers, but we have great sniper capacities built for our snipers. Not the enemy snipers, our snipers,” Trump told reporters.

“And because of the height, we get a very clear view of everything all over Washington,” he added.

Trump framed the project as part of a broader effort to strengthen White House security following heightened safety concerns tied to a shooting connected to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

When questioned about how the project was being funded, Trump said Congress was approving money for security-related improvements while he and private donors were also contributing significant amounts toward the construction effort.

“We put up a lot of money to build the new ballroom,” Trump said.

The president’s comments came shortly after the Senate parliamentarian rejected a Republican proposal seeking $1 billion in White House and Secret Service security funding as part of a reconciliation package.

According to Trump, some of those funds were tied to security upgrades connected to the East Wing ballroom project and broader White House protection efforts.

Donald Trump says beautification work across Washington is accelerating

The ballroom project is also facing legal trouble from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues the administration lacked authority to move ahead with demolishing the East Wing.

Trump, however, appeared unconcerned while showcasing the construction progress to reporters.

White House spokesperson David Ingle later defended the president’s decision to publicly display the project.

“President Trump is the most transparent president of all time and was excited to showcase to the press and American people the amazing gift he is giving to the White House and generations of future presidents to come,” Ingle said.

During the press tour, Trump also shifted focus toward the beautification projects happening around Washington, DC, ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebrations next July.

Construction crews and landscaping teams have been working across the capital city in recent months, with several fountains around Washington undergoing restoration and upgrades.

Trump revealed that he personally made a “multimillion” contribution toward restoration projects around Lafayette Park and the nearby White House grounds.

New fountains in Lafayette Park were switched on for the first time last month as part of the ongoing restoration effort.

According to the National Park Service, nine fountains are currently being rehabilitated and returned to service, while nine others are scheduled for maintenance and system upgrades.