Trump unveils ‘massive’ underground complex being built by US military beneath WH ballroom

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump made some eyebrow-raising claims about what’s happening beneath the White House.

Speaking on March 29, Trump said the military is quietly constructing a “massive complex” underneath a planned ballroom on the White House grounds, complete with heavy-duty protections like bulletproof glass and drone-resistant features.

“The military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that’s under construction, and we’re doing very well,” Trump said.

Security upgrades touted, no taxpayer funding claimed

The ballroom itself is being pitched as a fortress dressed up for formal events. Trump said the structure will include top-tier reinforcements aimed at modern threats, pointing to features designed to withstand both physical attacks and aerial risks.

“We have all bulletproof glass. We have drone-proof roofs, ceilings,” Trump said. “Everything is drone-proof and bulletproof, and unfortunately, we’re living in an age where that’s a good thing.”

He also made a point of stressing that the funding isn’t coming out of public coffers.

“All of the money paid is paid by myself and donors…it’s all donors,” the president said. “There’s not one dime of government money going into the ballroom.”

The roughly $400 million proposal got the green light in February from the US Commission of Fine Arts, which approved it unanimously in a 6–0 vote. The project replaces the former East Wing, which was demolished in October, and is expected to significantly expand the White House’s ability to host large-scale events.

Past administrations often relied on temporary tents due to the old East Wing dining room’s 200-seat limit.

Trump touts fast timeline, 'greatest ballroom' vision

Trump is also pitching speed and efficiency. “We’re ahead of schedule and under budget,” he said. He added that the ballroom is being designed to match the White House’s look and stature as a respectful nod to the historic residence.

“I think it’ll be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “It pays total homage to the White House, which is, I think, very important.”

Furthermore, Trump claimed that the military is especially invested in the project.

“Now it's no secret the military wanted it more than anybody,” Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, March 26. “It was supposed to be secret, but it became unsecret because of people that are really unpatriotic saying things. But, it doesn't matter, it doesn’t matter. It's going to be great.”

A January report from CNN noted that the construction could coincide with updates to a long-rumored bunker beneath the East Wing, originally built to protect President Franklin D Roosevelt during World War II.

Trump, however, insisted the ballroom was long overdue.

“This ballroom is gonna be something. It's so beautiful for this city, so desperately needed by presidents,” he said. “I get sued over a ballroom that's the most beautiful ballroom in the country. You won't have tents sitting on the wet White House lawn, if it rains, you get wiped out, to honor the president of China or the president of France.”