“Donation by very rich companies” — Trump Defends White House Ballroom, Says “We Don’t Need Congressional Approval”

Donald Trump is defending the new White House ballroom project by making one point over and over: taxpayers are not paying for it. Trump said the ballroom is being financed privately through donations from wealthy companies and individuals, and argued that congressional approval is not needed because the project is separate from taxpayer-funded spending. He also said presidents have wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years and described the new space as a necessary upgrade for hosting major foreign leaders and state events.